Engineered botulinum neurotoxin

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide with a modified receptor binding domain (HC) having one or more amino acid mutations that modify the binding of the BoNT to the receptor. Specific mutations and combinations of mutations are also disclosed. Isolated modified HC, polypeptides comprising the modified HC, chimeric molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and using the same are also disclosed. Methods of identifying additional such modified receptor binding domains, are further disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/138,818, filed Mar. 26, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT

This invention was made with Government support under NIH NCRR RR000168 awarded by the National Institute of Health. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of modified neurotoxins and their use for treating medical and/or aesthetic disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Botulinum neurotoxins are a family of bacterial toxins, including seven major serotypes (BoNT/A-G)¹. These toxins act by blocking neurotransmitter release from neurons, thus paralyzing animals and humans. In recent years, BoNTs have been widely used to treat a growing list of medical conditions: local injections of minute amount of toxins can attenuate neuronal activity in targeted regions, which can be beneficial in many medical conditions as well as for cosmetic purposes²⁻⁴.

BoNT/A and BoNT/B are the only two BoNTs that are currently FDA-approved for use in humans²⁻⁴. These are toxins purified from bacteria without any sequence modifications (defined as wild type, WT). As the application of BoNTs grows, limitations and adverse effects have been reported. The major limitation is the generation of neutralizing antibodies in patients, which renders future treatment ineffective⁵. Termination of BoNT usage often leaves patients with no other effective ways to treat/relieve their disorders. The possibility of antibody responses is directly related to both toxin doses and the frequency of injection⁵. Therefore, this limitation mainly occurs in treating muscle spasms, which involves relatively high doses of toxins. Consistently, antibody responses have not been observed in cosmetic applications, which use extremely low toxin doses⁵.

The major adverse effects are also often associated with treating muscle spasms, but not cosmetic applications. This is because the adverse effects are largely due to diffusion of toxins to other regions of the body and the possibility of toxin diffusion is directly related to injected doses. The adverse effects ranges from transient non-serious events such as ptosis and diplopia to life-threatening events even death^(6,7). In a petition letter filed in 2008 by Dr. Sidney Wolfe to FDA, a total of 180 serious adverse events, including 16 deaths have been documented. As a result, FDA now requires the “Black box warning” on all BoNT products, highlighting the risk of the spread of toxins, following similar warnings issued by the European Union.

Because both the generation of neutralizing antibodies and toxin diffusion are directly related to injected doses, lowering toxin doses (while maintaining the same levels of toxin activity) is highly desired, which means the efficacy of individual toxin molecules has to be enhanced. Such modified BoNTs with improved specificity for neurons will also reduce any potential off-target effects due to non-specific entry into other cell types.

BoNTs target and enter neurons by binding to their specific receptors through their receptor binding domains, which are well-defined in the literature (BoNT-H_(C), FIG. 1A, B)¹. Receptor binding dictates the efficacy and specificity of BoNTs to recognize neurons. Improving the receptor binding ability of BoNTs will enhance their efficacy and specificity to target neurons. The receptors for most BoNTs have been identified (FIG. 1C). BoNT/B, D-C, and G share two homologous synaptic vesicle proteins synaptotagmin I and II (Syt I/II) as their receptors⁸⁻¹³, while BoNT/A, E, D, and F use another synaptic vesicle protein SV2^(9,14-18). In addition to protein receptors, all BoNTs require lipid co-receptor gangliosides (FIG. 1D), which are abundant on neuronal surfaces¹⁹. Among the two Syt isoforms Syt II has ˜10-fold higher binding affinity for BoNT/B than Syt I and is also the dominant isoform expressed in motor nerve terminals, which are the targeted neurons for BoNTs (FIG. 2A)^(20,21) Therefore, Syt II is considered the major toxin receptor for BoNT/B, D-C, and G, while Syt I is a minor toxin receptor at motor nerve terminals. This is the case in rodents and likely in the majority of mammals.

One may argue that BoNTs already have high specificity to neurons, and ask is it possible to further improve their binding to neurons? The answer is a “Yes” for humans, at least in part in light of the recent discovery that the human Syt II has greatly diminished binding and function as the receptor for BoNT/B due to a unique amino acid change from rodent (rat/mouse) Syt II within the toxin binding site^(13,22). This is a change from phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L) at position 54 (mouse Syt II sequence) (FIG. 2B). Sequence alignments have revealed that phenylalanine at this position is highly conserved in both Syt I and Syt II across vertebrates, including platypus, fish, rodents, and monkeys²³. Only human and chimpanzee Syt II contains leucine at this position. As a result of this residue change, human and chimpanzee Syt II has greatly diminished binding to BoNT/B, D-C, and G (FIG. 2C) and is significantly less efficient in mediating the entry of BoNT/B (FIG. 2D), as compared to mouse Syt II. Since human and chimpanzee Syt I still contains phenylalanine at the same position and can bind BoNT/B, D-C, and G (FIG. 2E), the high affinity receptor for BoNT/B, D-C, and G in humans is restricted to the minor receptor Syt I. These findings provide an explanation for the clinical observations that a much higher dose of BoNT/B than BoNT/A (which binds a different receptor) is needed to achieve the same levels of therapeutic effects in patients^(24.25). Previously these observations were attributed to other reasons, such as the percentage of active neurotoxin in the preparations used. The recent observations of such binding differences of BoNT/B to human Syt II versus Syt II of other species suggests that different residues of BoNT/B may be involved in binding to human Syt II. As such, sequence modification to BoNT/B that is expected to affect binding to rodent SytII may have unpredictable effects on BoNT/B binding to human Syt II.

Thus there is a great need to improve binding of BoNT/B to human receptor Syt II, as a way to increase its efficacy and specificity to target human neurons and decrease the toxin doses needed in therapeutic applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention relates to a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising a protease domain, a protease cleavage site, a translocation domain, and a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)), comprising one or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 1, selected from the group consisting of E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises one substitution mutation corresponding to a substitution mutation in serotype B, strain 1, selected from the group consisting of E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199E, S1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, and Y1183P. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises the substitution mutation corresponding to E1191C in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises the substitution mutation corresponding to E1191V in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises two substitution mutations.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising a protease domain, a protease cleavage site, a translocation domain, and a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)), comprising two or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 1, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, and E1191Y. In one embodiment, one other of the substitution mutations corresponds to S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, S1199F or S1199L in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W, E1191M and W1178Q, E1191C and S1199W; E1191C and S1199Y, E1191C and W1178Q, E1191Q and S1199W, E1191V and S1199W, E1191V and S1199Y, or E1191V and W1178Q, in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199Y in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191Q and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199Y in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises three substitution mutations. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the three substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to E1191, Y1183 and S1199 or to E1191, S1199 and W1178 of serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the three substitution mutations correspond to E1191M, S1199W and W1178Q of serotype B, strain 1.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising a protease domain, a protease cleavage site, a translocation domain, and a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)), comprising a substitution mutation at a position corresponding to S1199 or S1201 of serotype B, strain 1.

In one embodiment of any of the polypeptides described herein the modified B-H_(c) is of strain 1. In one embodiment of any of the polypeptides described herein the protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from serotype selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment of any of the polypeptides described herein the protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of any of the polypeptides described herein the protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from serotype A, strain 1. In one embodiment of any of the polypeptides described herein, the modified B-Hc is not of strain B4.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)) comprising one or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 1, selected from the group consisting of E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises two substitution mutations.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)) comprising two or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 1, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, and E1191Y. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein one of the substitution mutations corresponds to S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, S1199F or S1199L in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W, E1191M and W1178Q, E1191C and S1199W; E1191C and S1199Y, E1191C and W1178Q, E1191Q and S1199W, E1191V and S1199W, E1191V and S1199Y, or E1191V and W1178Q, in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199Y in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and W1178Q in serotype B, strain. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191Q and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199Y in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises three substitution mutations. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the three substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to E1191, Y1183 and S1199 or to E1191, S1199 and W1178 of serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the three substitution mutations correspond to E1191M, S1199W and W1178Q of serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the modified B-H_(c) is of strain 1. In one embodiment of the polypeptides described herein the modified B-Hc is not of strain 4. In one embodiment, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 3, 7 or 8.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)) linked to a second portion, wherein the modified B-H_(c) comprises one or more substitution mutations selected from the group consisting of E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment the modified B-H_(c) comprises two substitution mutations.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)) linked to a second portion, wherein the modified B-H_(c) comprises two or more substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 1, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, and E1191Y. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein one of the substitution mutations corresponds to S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, S1199F or S1199L in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W, E1191M and W1178Q, E1191C and S1199W; E1191C and S1199Y, E1191C and W1178Q, E1191Q and S1199W, E1191V and S1199W, E1191V and S1199Y, or E1191V and W1178Q, in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199Y in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191Q and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199W in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199Y in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and W1178Q in serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises three substitution mutations. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the three substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to E1191, Y1183 and S1199 or to E1191, S1199 and W1178 of serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment of the chimeric molecules described herein the three substitution mutations correspond to E1191M, S1199W and W1178Q of serotype B, strain 1.

In one embodiment of any of the chimeric molecules described herein the modified B-H_(c) is of strain 1. In one embodiment of any of the chimeric molecules described herein, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 4. In one embodiment, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 3, 7 or 8.

In one embodiment of any of the chimeric molecules described herein the first portion and the second portion are linked covalently. In one embodiment of any of the chimeric molecules described herein the first portion and the second portion are linked non-covalently. In one embodiment of any of the chimeric molecules described herein the second portion is selected from the group consisting of a small molecule, a nucleic acid, a short polypeptide and a protein. In one embodiment of any of the chimeric molecules described herein the second portion is a bioactive molecule. In one embodiment of any of the chimeric molecules described herein the second portion is a therapeutic polypeptide or non-polypeptide drug.

Aspects of the invention further relate to any of the BoNT polypeptides, polypeptides or chimeric molecules described herein that exhibits significantly enhanced binding of the modified B-Hc to human SytII and/or significantly reduced binding of the modified B-Hc to human Syt I as compared to an identical molecule lacking the substitution mutation(s).

Aspects of the invention further relate to any of the BoNT polypeptides, polypeptides or chimeric molecules described herein wherein the substitution mutation produces significantly enhanced binding to human SytII and/or significantly enhanced binding to human Syt I as compared to an identical molecule lacking the substitution mutation(s).

Another aspect of the invention relates to a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the BoNT polypeptide, polypeptide or chimeric molecule described herein. Another aspect of the invention relates to a nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the BoNT polypeptide, polypeptide or chimeric molecule described herein. Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell comprising the nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the BoNT polypeptide, polypeptide or chimeric molecule described herein, or the nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell expressing any of the BoNT polypeptides, polypeptides or chimeric molecules described herein.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising any of the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptides described herein.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising any of the polypeptides described herein.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising any of the chimeric molecules described herein.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising any of the nucleic acids or nucleic acid vectors described herein.

In one embodiment of any of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a kit comprising any of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein and directions for therapeutic administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method to produce any of the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptides described herein, the method comprising the steps of culturing the cell that expresses the BoNT polypeptide under conditions wherein said BoNT polypeptide is produced. In one embodiment, the method further comprises one or more of the steps of recovering the BoNT polypeptide from the culture, purifying the BoNT polypeptide, activating the BoNT polypeptide, and/or formulating the BoNT polypeptide.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for treating a condition associated with unwanted neuronal activity comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the BoNT polypeptide described herein to a subject to thereby contact one or more neurons' exhibiting unwanted neuronal activity, to thereby treat the condition. In one embodiment, the condition is selected from the group consisting of, spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, laryngeal dystonia, oromandibular dysphonia, lingual dystonia, cervical dystonia, focal hand dystonia, blepharospasm, strabismus, hemifacial spasm, eyelid disorder, cerebral palsy, focal spasticity and other voice disorders, spasmodic colitis, neurogenic bladder (i.e. all diseases involving urinary incontinence, such as e.g. neurogenic detrusor overactivity or idiopathic overactive bladder), anismus, limb spasticity, tics, tremors, bruxism, anal fissure, achalasia, dysphagia and other muscle tone disorders and other disorders characterized by involuntary movements of muscle groups, lacrimation, hyperhydrosis, excessive salivation, excessive gastrointestinal secretions, secretory disorders, pain from muscle spasms, neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, headache pain (such as e.g., migraine), itch (pruritis), acne, and dermatological or aesthetic/cosmetic conditions.

Another aspect of the invention relates to any of the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptides or the pharmaceutical compositions, or the chimeric molecules, or the polypeptides described herein for use in medicine.

Another aspect of the invention relates to any of the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptides, or the pharmaceutical compositions, or the chimeric molecules, or the polypeptides described herein, for use in treating a condition associated with unwanted neuronal activity.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for identifying a modified receptor binding domain of botulinum neurotoxin for binding to a receptor comprising expressing the modified receptor binding domain as a first fusion protein with T18 subunit of bacterial adenylate cyclase in a 2-hybrid assay, and expressing the receptor as a second fusion protein with T25 subunit of bacterial adenylate cyclase in the 2-hybrid assay, analyzing a clonal E. coli colony that expresses both the first and second fusion protein for the presence of a positive indication above a negative control, and identifying the modified receptor binding domain expressed by the colony exhibiting the positive indication as binding to the receptor. In one embodiment, the positive indication is color development. In one embodiment of the methods described herein, the method further comprises the step of analyzing the colony for the positive indication against a weakly positive control, and further identifying the modified receptor binding domain expressed by the colony exhibiting the positive indication above the weakly positive control as binding to the receptor with high affinity. In one embodiment of the methods described herein, the method is performed with a library of modified receptor binding domains each expressed within respective colonies. In one embodiment of the methods described herein, the receptor is human. In one embodiment of the methods described herein, the modified receptor binding domain comprises one or more substitution mutations, wherein one of the substitution mutations corresponds to a mutation in serotype B, strain 1, selected from the group consisting of: E1191M, E1191 Q, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199F, S1199L W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P and S1199Y.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-FIG. 1D (published data for background) shows schematic models for how BoNTs target neurons (FIG. 1A), their overall protein structure (FIG. 1), a list of identified receptors (FIG. 1C), and the structural model for BoNT/B binding to its receptors Syt and gangliosides (FIG. 1D). (FIG. 1A) A schematic view of BoNT actions: BoNTs recognize neurons by binding to their specific receptors (step 1), enter neurons via receptor-mediated endocytosis (step 2), the light chains of BoNTs then translocate across endosomal membranes into the cytosol (step 3), where these light chains act as proteases to cleave target host proteins (step 4). FIG. 1A is adapted from Arnon, S. et al, JAMA, 285:1059, 2001²⁴. (FIG. 1B) BoNTs are composed of a light chain and a heavy chain, connected via a disulfide bond. The heavy chain can be further divided into two domains: the translocation domain (H_(N)) and the receptor binding domain (H_(C)). These functional domains are switchable between different BoNTs. For instance, BoNT/B-H_(C) can be used to replace BoNT/A-H_(C) to generate chimeric toxins. (FIG. 1C) A list of identified toxins receptors. (FIG. 1D) A structural model showing binding of BoNT/B to its protein receptor, Syt (I/II), as well as its lipid co-receptor, gangliosides, on the cell surface. FIG. 1D is adapted from Chai et al, Nature, 444:1096, 2006³.

FIG. 2A-FIG. 2D show prior data adapted from published literatures showing indicating that human Syt II is not an effective receptor for BoNT/B, D-C, and G. (A) Human Syt II differs from mouse/rat Syt II by a single residue within the toxin binding site (residue 54 in mouse Syt II, 51 in human Syt II). (SytII (mouse) shown is SEQ ID NO: 1). (FIG. 2B) Glutathione S-transferase (GST) tagged recombinant mouse Syt II 1-87 (m-Syt II) and a mouse Syt II 1-87 mutant mimicking human Syt II (F54L, here and thereafter designed as h-Syt II to simplify the text) were immobilized on glutathione-sepharose beads, and were used to pull down BoNT/B, BoNT/D-C, or BoNT/G, with or without the presence of ganglioside (Gangl). All three toxins bind to m-Syt II 1-87, but not h-Syt II in the pull-down assays. (FIG. 2C) Cultured rat hippocampal neurons only express Syt I but not Syt II⁸. Therefore, knocking down (KD) Syt I generates neurons with no endogenous toxin receptors. Full-length m-Syt II and h-Syt II were then expressed in Syt I KD hippocampal neurons, and these neurons were exposed to BoNT/B (20 nM, 5 min exposure, 24 hours incubation) or BoNT/D-C (0.3 nM, 5 min exposure, 6 hours incubation) or BoNT/G (40 nM, 5 min exposure, 24 hours incubation). h-Syt II was found significantly less efficient in mediating the entry of BoNT/B, BoNT/D-C, and BoNT/G into Syt I KD neurons as compared to wild type mouse Syt II, as evidenced by the degrees of cleavage of toxin substrate synaptobrevin (Syb). (FIG. 2D) Rat Syt 11-83 and human Syt 11-80 were used to pull down BoNT/B, BoNT/D-C, and BoNT/G, as described in panel C. Human Syt I mediated similar levels of toxin binding as rat Syt I did for all three toxins. This figure is adapted from our recent publication: Peng et al, J. Cell Science, 2012¹³.

FIG. 3A-FIG. 3B shows residues located in the Syt II binding interface on BoNT/B-H_(C), which are candidates for site-directed mutagenesis to modify the binding affinity. (FIG. 3A) A Close-up view of binding interface between BoNT/B-H_(C) and mouse Syt II is shown here. Residues in BoNT/B-H_(C) that contribute to the binding are marked in bold, whereas residues in Syt II are not bold. Residue F54 in Syt II, in the middle and shown in slightly larger font size, changes to residue L in human Syt II. (FIG. 3B) A list of 19 key residues in BoNT/B that form the binding pocket of the Syt II binding domain in BoNT/B. These residues are candidates for site-directed mutagenesis.

FIG. 4A-FIG. 4B are illustrations of the bacterial adenylate cyclase two hybrids (BACTH) system that is used to screen BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants for their ability to bind human Syt II. (FIG. 4A) A pool of BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants that covers all 20 different amino acids at the selected position is generated by PCR amplification with primers containing random tri-nucleotides (NNN) at the selected site. A total of 19 distinct pools were generated for all 19 residues selected in FIG. 3B. (FIG. 4B) A schematic illustration of the BACTH system. Briefly, the bacterial adenylate cyclase is split to two domains, designated as T25 and T18. T25 is fused to human Syt II (residues 1-87) that contains the toxin binding site, whereas T18 is fused to BoNT/B-H_(C) generated as described in FIG. 4A. These two fusion proteins are encoded on two separated plasmids and co-transformed into the same bacteria. Binding of mutated BoNT/B-H_(C) to human Syt II brings together T25 and T18 domains in bacteria, which restores the activity of the bacterial adenylate cyclase. This leads to production of cAMP in bacteria, which activates CAP protein and triggers expression of the reporter gene lacZ that encodes β-galactosidase. The activity of β-galactosidase leads to blue colonies on X-gal plates that can be easily identified. Plasmids that encode BoNT/B-H_(C) can be then extracted from blue colonies and sequenced to identify the specific mutations in BoNT/B-H_(C).

FIG. 5A-FIG. 5B are tables that summarize the results from the BACTH screening of BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants. (FIG. 5A) List of total colonies and the number of blue colonies for each pool of BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants fused to T18, co-expressed in bacteria with human Syt II fused to T25. Based on Clark-Carbon Equation, the number of total colonies needs to be larger than 380 to achieve a 99.8% of possibility of covering all 20 possible amino acids at a single position. Four positions resulted in significant numbers of blue colonies (68 hours after plating). (FIG. 5B) Plasmids from blue colonies identified in FIG. 5A were extracted and sequenced to determine the specific residue introduced at the indicated position in BoNT/B-H_(C). The identified residues are listed. Of note, the blue colonies were further divided to “deep blue colonies”, which were found with the position 1191 of BoNT/B-H_(C), and “light blue colonies”, which were found with the positions 1183, 1199, and 1178. The term “deep blue colonies” versus “light blue colonies” were artificially judged by the experimenter based on the differences between the blue color of colonies.

FIG. 6A-FIG. 6B shows experimental results that indicate the semi-quantitative measurement of the interactions between indicated BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants with human Syt II in BACTH assay. (FIG. 6A) The β-galactosidase activity was measured from lysates of bacteria that express both human Syt II fused with T25 and indicated BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants fused with T18. The activity of β-galactosidase presumably reflects the strength of interactions between human Syt II and BoNT/B-H_(C). WT BoNT/B-H_(C) served as a control. Exchanging residues E1191 to M, C, V, or Q gave the strongest expression of β-galactosidase. Exchanging residues E1191 to S/A/T/N, Y1183 to C/P, S1199 to W/E/Y/H, W1178 to Y/Q/S showed slight increases of interactions. N=6 samples/group. (FIG. 6B) Binding of indicated BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants to either mouse Syt II (m-Syt II) or human Syt II (h-Syt II), the bindings sites of which are shown in FIG. 2A, was assayed by pull down assay. Exchanging residues E1191 to M, C, V, or Q also showed the strongest binding to h-Syt II.

FIG. 7A-FIG. 7B shows experimental results of the screening for secondary mutations in addition to position E1191 that can enhance binding to h-Syt II. (FIG. 7A) Double mutations were created by combining E1191M with all other ten residue changes identified in FIG. 5B at positions S1199/Y1183/W1178, respectively. These double mutations were assayed for their ability to bind h-Syt II by pull down assay. Mutants that show strong binding to h-Syt II are indicated with an * (FIG. 7B). Proposed mutations for combination that may enhance the affinity between BoNT/B and human Syt II are listed in the table.

FIG. 8A-FIG. 8B show the quantitative measurement of binding affinity between indicated BoNT/B-H_(C) and h-Syt II. (FIG. 8A) Binding of GST tagged h-Syt II to His-tagged WT BoNT/B-H_(C) and E1191M/S1199Y was measured by biolayer interferometry assay. Briefly, anti-GST biosensors were loaded with GST-h-Syt II. The loaded biosensors were incubated with 1 μM BoNT/B-H_(C) proteins for measurement of association kinetics, followed by washing steps to measure dissociation kinetics. Representative association and dissociation curves are shown. (FIG. 8B) Binding affinities between indicated BoNT/B-H_(C) and Syt II were measured by biolayer interferometry assay as described in panel A. Kinetic parameters (k_(on) and k_(off)) and overall binding affinities (K_(D)) were calculated from a non-linear fit of association and dissociation curves. Binding of WT BoNT/B-H_(C) to h-Syt II is too weak to be reliably determined, with estimated K_(D) beyond the detection limit (>20 μM), whereas majority of double and triple mutants showed drastically increased binding affinity at the range of 0.59 to 4.30 μM.

FIG. 9A-FIG. 9C show experimental results that indicate selected BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants have enhanced binding to human Syt I. (FIG. 9A) WT BoNT/B-H_(C) and E1191M mutant were purified as His6-tagged recombinant proteins and incubated with immobilized GST-tagged h-Syt I (1-80), with or without the presence of co-receptor gangliosides (Gangl). Binding of WT BoNT/B-H_(C) to h-Syt I requires the presence of the co-receptor gangliosides, indicating a relatively weak interactions between WT BoNT/B-H_(C) and h-Syt. The E1191M mutant can bind to h-Syt I without gangliosides, showing improved binding affinity to h-Syt I. (FIG. 9B) Binding of WT and indicated mutant BoNT/B-H_(C) to h-Syt I were measured by biolayer interferometry as described in FIG. 8A. (FIG. 9C) Kinetic parameters (k_(on) and k_(off)) and overall affinities (K_(D)) for WT BoNT/B-H_(C), BoNT/B-H_(C) (E1191M/S1199Y) (“B H_(C) MY”), and BoNT/B-H_(C) (E1191V/S1199Y) (“B H_(C) VY”) to h-Syt I were measured and calculated as described in FIG. 8B. Binding of WT BoNT/B-H_(C) (B H_(C) wt) to h-Syt I cannot be reliably determined, with estimated KD over the detection limit (>20 μM). BoNT/B-H_(C) (E1191M/S1199Y, B H_(C), MY) and BoNT/B-H_(C) (E1191V/S1199Y, B H_(C) VY) showed drastically increased binding affinity, with K_(D) at 2.9 μM and 5.82 μM, respectively.

FIG. 10A-FIG. 10B are photographs of in situ immunostaining analysis indicating H_(C)B_(MY) showed a robust binding to humanized neurons that express h-Syt II. (FIG. 10A) Humanized neurons were created by knocking down endogenous Syt I and expressing full-length h-Syt II in cultured rat cortical neurons. Neurons that express full-length m-Syt II or m-Syt II (F54L) served as additional controls. These neurons were exposed to WT H_(C)B, followed by immunostaining analysis. Bound H_(C)B was detected via a HA tag fused to H_(C)B. Synapsin was labeled as a marker for presynaptic terminals. WT H_(C)B bound to synapses of WT neurons but not Syt I KD neurons. Expression of full-length m-Syt II via lentiviral transduction restored binding of H_(C)B, while expression of full-length m-Syt II (F54L) or full-length h-Syt II failed to rescue the binding. (FIG. 10B) Syt I KD also abolished binding of H_(C)B_(MY) to neurons. The binding was rescued by expression of full length m-Syt II, m-Syt II (F54L), and h-Syt II.

FIG. 11A-FIG. 11C are experimental results that indicate BoNT/B_(MY) displayed enhanced efficacy on blocking neurotransmission in humanized neurons. (FIG. 11A) Humanized neurons were created as described in FIG. 11A. These neurons were exposed to a gradient of concentrations of full-length WT BoNT/B or BoNT/B_(MY) for 24 hours. Cell lysates were harvested and subjected to immunoblotting analysis. β-tubulin served as an internal loading control. More VAMP2 was cleaved by BoNT/B_(MY) than WT BoNT/B at the same concentrations, indicating that BoNT/B_(MY) entered neurons more efficiently than WT BoNT/B. Humanized neurons were exposed to a gradient of concentrations of WT BoNT/B or BoNT/B_(MY) for 24 hours and then the mIPSC activity was recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp approach. (FIG. 11B) shows representative mIPSC recordings at 30 μM toxins. (FIG. 11C) depicts the mIPSC activities versus toxin concentrations, normalized to neurons that were not exposed to any toxins. The half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) is 89 pM for WT BoNT/B and 7.8 pM for BoNT/B_(MY), demonstrating that enhanced binding to human receptors resulted in increased efficacy of toxin at functional levels in neurons.

FIG. 12 is the amino acid sequence of the BoNT/B-Hc (strain 1; BoNT/B1 Okra strain). Residues 857-1291 of BoNT/B, strain 1, GenBank: AB232927.1. (SEQ ID NO: 2).

FIG. 13 is the nucleic acid sequence encoding BoNT/B-Hc (strain B1, Okra strain) residues 857-1291 of BoNT/B, strain 1, based on GenBank: AB232927.1), which has been optimized for expression in E. coli. (SEQ ID NO: 3)

FIG. 14 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype A (1296 a.a.). (SEQ ID NO: 4)

FIG. 15 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype B (1291 a.a.). (SEQ ID NO: 5)

FIG. 16 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype C1 (1291 a.a.). (SEQ ID NO: 6)

FIG. 17 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype D (1276 a.a.). (SEQ ID NO: 7)

FIG. 18 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype E (1252 a.a.). (SEQ ID NO: 8)

FIG. 19 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype F (1274 a.a.). (SEQ ID NO: 9)

FIG. 20 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype G (1297 a.a.). (SEQ ID NO: 10)

FIG. 21 shows the amino acid sequence of C. botulinum serotype B, Strain Eklund 17B (BoNT/B4) (SEQ ID NO: 11) Genbank Ref: EF051570.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate to the generation of polypeptides, and nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, comprising a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum (e.g., serotype B (B-H_(c))), and more particularly to C. botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide which has improved binding to its human receptors through the incorporation of a modified receptor binding domain, and nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide. From these findings, a new generation of therapeutic BoNTs can be created by utilizing the modified receptor binding domain identified herein, with improved efficacy and specificity to target human neurons than the currently utilized WT BoNTs.

Definitions

As used herein, the term “binding affinity” means how strong a molecule's binding activity is for a particular receptor system. In general, high binding affinity results from greater intermolecular force between a binding domain and its receptor system while low binding affinity involves less intermolecular force between the ligand and its receptor. High binding affinity involves a longer residence time for the binding domain at its receptor binding site than is the case for low binding affinity. As such, a molecule with a high binding affinity means a lower concentration of that molecule is required to maximally occupy the binding sites of a receptor system and trigger a physiological response. Conversely, low binding affinity means a relatively high concentration of a molecule is required before the receptor binding sites of a receptor system is maximally occupied and the maximum physiological response is achieved. Thus, a botulinum neurotoxin of the present invention with increased binding activity due to high binding affinity will allow administration of reduced doses of the toxin, thereby reducing or preventing unwanted side-effects associated with toxin dispersal into non-targeted areas.

One parameter that is often used to measure the binding affinity is defined as binding K_(D). Because K_(D) is defined as the ratio between dissociation constant (K_(off)) and association constant (K_(on)), the lower the K_(D) value, the higher the binding affinity.

As the term is used herein, “significantly enhanced binding” when used to describe the binding affinity of a C. botulinum neurotoxin molecule or BoNT/B-Hc binding fragment thereof, of the present invention to a specific receptor (e.g., human Syt II or human Syt I), refers to an increase in binding affinity for a specific receptor that is substantially increased (e.g., by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the binding affinity of the wild type molecule) as compared to the non-substituted version of the molecule. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding of the substituted molecule is demonstrated by a binding affinity that is an order of magnitude or more than the binding affinity of the non-substituted molecule (e.g., the neurotoxin with a naturally occurring BoNT H_(C) molecule). Put another way, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule is an order of magnitude or more lower than the K_(D) of the non-substituted molecule In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a binding affinity that is significantly higher (e.g., 1.5×, 2.0×, 2.5×, 3.0×, etc.) than the binding affinity of the non-substituted molecule. Put another way, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule is significantly lower (e.g., 1.5×, 2.0×, 2.5×, 3.0×, etc.) than the K_(D) of the non-substituted molecule. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding demonstrated is in the range of about 0.59 μM to 5.82 μM K_(D). In one embodiment, the enhanced binding demonstrated is in the range of about 0.59 μM to 4.3 μM K_(D). In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a K_(D)≤5.82 μM. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a K_(D)≤4.30 μM. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a K_(D)≤2.9 μM. In one embodiment, the enhanced binding is demonstrated by a K_(D) of about 0.59 μM.

In one embodiment, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt II is ≤10 μM, preferably ≤9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2 μM, more preferably ≤1 or 0.6 μM. In one embodiment, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt I is ≤10 μM, preferably ≤9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 μM, more preferably ≤3 μM. In one embodiment, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt II is ≤7 μM and the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt I is ≤6 μM. In a preferred embodiment, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt II is ≤1 μM and the K_(D) of the substituted molecule for human Syt I is ≤3 μM.

In one embodiment, enhanced binding results in detectable binding to human Syt I in the absence of co-receptor gangliosides, such as exemplified by the experiments described herein.

The term “significantly enhanced binding” or “significantly reduced binding” when used to describe the binding affinity of a BoNT/B-H_(C) binding fragment produced by the point mutations described herein refers to an increase or decrease, respectively, in binding affinity of the modified binding domain (e.g., expressed as an isolated fragment or in the context of the larger polypeptide) to a specific receptor (e.g., human Syt II or human Syt I) as discussed directly above.

As the term is used herein, “significantly reduced binding” when used to describe the binding affinity of botulinum neurotoxin molecule or binding fragment thereof (e.g., BoNT/B-Hc), of the present invention to a specific receptor (e.g., human Syt I or human Syt II), refers to a decrease in binding affinity for the specific receptor that is substantially decreased (e.g., by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the binding affinity of the wild type molecule) as compared to the non-substituted version of the molecule. In one embodiment, the decreased binding of the substituted molecule results in a binding affinity that is an order of magnitude or more less than the binding affinity of the non-substituted neurotoxin (e.g., the neurotoxin with a naturally occurring BoNT H_(C) molecule). Put another way, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule is an order of magnitude or more higher than the K_(D) of the non-substituted neurotoxin. In one embodiment, the reduced binding of the substituted molecule results in a binding affinity that is significantly lower (e.g., 1.5×, 2.0×, 2.5×, 3.0×, etc.) than the binding affinity of the non-substituted molecule. Put another way, the K_(D) of the substituted molecule is significantly higher (e.g., 1.5×, 2.0×, 2.5×, 3.0×, etc.) than the K_(D) of the non-substituted molecule. In one embodiment, significantly reduced binding results in loss of detectable binding to human Syt I in the absence of co-receptor gangliosides.

As used herein, the term “botulinum neurotoxin” means any polypeptide that can execute the overall cellular mechanism whereby a C. botulinum toxin enters a neuron and inhibits neurotransmitter release. This mechanism encompasses the binding of a C. botulinum toxin to a low or high affinity receptor complex, the internalization of the toxin, the translocation of the toxin light chain into the cytoplasm and the enzymatic modification of a C. botulinum toxin substrate. The term “polypeptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein, in reference to the C. botulinum neurotoxin molecule and fragments thereof.

A “modified receptor binding domain” or “modified H_(c)”, as the term is used herein, facilitates the binding of the C. botulinum neurotoxin molecule in which it is comprised, to a receptor for C. botulinum neurotoxin located on the surface of a target cell. Such a molecule is typically generated through genetic recombination technology. The modified H_(c) has a binding activity for the receptor for C. botulinum neurotoxin located on the surface of a target cell. As used herein, the term “binding activity” means that one molecule is directly or indirectly contacting another molecule via at least one intermolecular or intramolecular force, including, without limitation, a covalent bond, an ionic bond, a metallic bond, a hydrogen bond, a hydrophobic interaction, a van der Waals interaction, and the like, or any combination thereof “Bound” and “bind” are considered terms for binding.

As used herein, the term “C. botulinum toxin protease domain” means a C. botulinum toxin domain that can execute the enzymatic target modification step of the intoxication process. Thus, a C. botulinum toxin protease domain specifically targets a C. botulinum toxin substrate and encompasses the proteolytic cleavage of a C. botulinum toxin substrate, such as, e.g., SNARE proteins like a SNAP-25 substrate, a VAMP substrate and a Syntaxin substrate.

Non-limiting examples of C. botulinum toxin protease domains are provided in Tables 1 and 2.

As used herein, the term “C. botulinum toxin translocation domain” or “H_(N)” means a C. botulinum toxin domain that can execute the translocation step of the intoxication process that mediates C. botulinum toxin light chain translocation. Thus, a H_(N) facilitates the movement of a C. botulinum toxin light chain across a membrane and encompasses the movement of a C. botulinum toxin light chain through the membrane an intracellular vesicle into the cytoplasm of a cell. Non-limiting examples of a H_(N) include a BoNT/A H_(N), a BoNT/B H_(N), a BoNT/C1 H_(N), a BoNT/D H_(N), a BoNT/E H_(N), a BoNT/F H_(N), and a BoNT/G H_(N), the amino acid sequences of which are provided in Table 1 and FIGS. 12, 14-20.

As used herein, the term “C. botulinum receptor-binding domain” is synonymous with “H_(C) domain” and means any naturally occurring C. botulinum receptor binding domain that can execute the cell binding step of the intoxication process, including, e.g., the binding of the C. botulinum toxin to a C. botulinum toxin-specific receptor system located on the plasma membrane surface of a target cell. It is envisioned that replacement of the binding activity can be achieved by, e.g., replacing the entire C. botulinum H_(C) domain with a modified (e.g., enhanced) H_(C) domain.

As used herein, the term “C. botulinum toxin target cell” means a cell that is a naturally occurring cell that a naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin is capable of intoxicating, including, without limitation, motor neurons; sensory neurons; autonomic neurons; such as, e.g., sympathetic neurons and parasympathetic neurons; non-peptidergic neurons, such as, e.g., cholinergic neurons, adrenergic neurons, noradrenergic neurons, serotonergic neurons, GABAergic neurons; and peptidergic neurons, such as, e.g., Substance P neurons, Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide neurons, vasoactive intestinal peptide neurons, Neuropeptide Y neurons, cholecystokinin neurons.

By “isolated” is meant a material that is free to varying degrees from components which normally accompany it as found in its native state. “Isolate” denotes a degree of separation from original source or surroundings, e.g. from flanking DNA or from the natural source of the DNA, or from flanking amino acids.

The term “purified” is used to refer to a substance such as a polypeptide that is “substantially pure”, with respect to other components of a preparation (e.g., other polypeptides). It can refer to a polypeptide that is at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, or 75%, preferably at least about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, and most preferably at least about 95% pure, with respect to other components. Recast, the terms “substantially pure” or “essentially purified”, with regard to a polypeptide, refers to a preparation that contains fewer than about 20%, more preferably fewer than about 15%, 10%, 8%, 7%, most preferably fewer than about 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less than 1%, of one or more other components (e.g., other polypeptides or cellular components).

The term “conservative” or “conservative substitution mutation” as used herein refers to a mutation where an amino acid is substituted for another amino acid that has similar properties, such that one skilled in the art of peptide chemistry would expect the secondary structure, chemical properties, and/or hydropathic nature of the polypeptide to be substantially unchanged. The following groups of amino acids have been historically substituted for one another as conservative changes: (1) ala, pro, gly, glu, asp, gln, asn, ser, thr; (2) cys, ser, try, thr; (3) val, ile, leu, met, ala, phe; (4) lys, arg, his; and (5) phe, tyr, trp, his. Other commonly accepted conservative substitutions are listed below:

Residue Conservative Substitutions Ala Ser Arg Lys Asn Gln; His Asp Glu Gln Asn Cys Ser Glu Asp Gly Pro His Asn; Gln Ile Leu, Val Leu Ile; Val Lys Arg; Gln Met Leu; Ile Phe Met; Leu; Tyr Ser Thr; Gly Thr Ser; Val Trp Tyr Tyr Trp; Phe Val Ile; Leu

The term “substitution mutation” without the reference to a specific amino acid, may include any amino acid other than the wild type residue normally found at that position. Such substitutions may be replacement with non-polar (hydrophobic) amino acids, such as glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and proline. Substitutions may be replacement with polar (hydrophilic) amino acids such as serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine. Substitutions may be replacement with electrically charged amino acids e.g., negatively electrically charged amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid and positively electrically charged amino acids such as lysine, arginine, and histidine.

The substitution mutations described herein will typically be replacement with a different naturally occurring amino acid residue, but in some cases non-naturally occurring amino acid residues may also be substituted. Non-natural amino acids, as the term is used herein, are non-proteinogenic (i.e., non-protein coding) amino acids that either occur naturally or are chemically synthesized. Examples include but are not limited to β-amino acids (β and β2), homo-amino acids, proline and pyruvic acid derivatives, 3-substituted alanine derivatives, glycine derivatives, ring-substituted phenylalanine and tyrosine derivatives, linear core amino acids, diamino acids, D-amino acids, and N-methyl amino acids. In some embodiments, the amino acid can be substituted or unsubstituted. The substituted amino acid or substituent can be a halogenated aromatic or aliphatic amino acid, a halogenated aliphatic or aromatic modification on the hydrophobic side chain, or an aliphatic or aromatic modification.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount that is sufficient to effect a therapeutically significant reduction in one or more symptoms of the condition when administered to a typical subject who has the condition. A therapeutically significant reduction in a symptom is, e.g. about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 100%, or more as compared to a control or non-treated subject.

The term “treat” or “treatment” refers to therapeutic treatment wherein the object is to eliminate or lessen symptoms. Beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are not limited to, elimination of symptoms, alleviation of symptoms, diminishment of extent of condition, stabilized (i.e., not worsening) state of condition, delay or slowing of progression of the condition.

As used herein, a “subject” refers to a human or animal. Usually the animal is a vertebrate such as a primate, rodent, domestic animal or game animal. Primates include chimpanzees, cynomologous monkeys, spider monkeys, and macaques, e.g., Rhesus. Rodents include mice, rats, woodchucks, ferrets, rabbits and hamsters. Domestic and game animals include cows, horses, pigs, deer, bison, buffalo, feline species, e.g., domestic cat, canine species, e.g., dog, fox, wolf, avian species, e.g., chicken, emu, ostrich, and fish, e.g., trout, catfish and salmon. Patient or subject includes any subset of the foregoing, e.g., all of the above, but excluding one or more groups or species such as humans, primates or rodents. In certain embodiments of the aspects described herein, the subject is a mammal, e.g., a primate, e.g., a human. The terms, “patient” and “subject” are used interchangeably herein. A subject can be male or female. A subject can be a fully developed subject (e.g., an adult) or a subject undergoing the developmental process (e.g., a child, infant or fetus).

Preferably, the subject is a mammal. The mammal can be a human, non-human primate, mouse, rat, dog, cat, horse, or cow, but are not limited to these examples. Mammals other than humans can be advantageously used as subjects that represent animal models of disorders associated with unwanted neuronal activity. In addition, the methods and compositions described herein can be used to treat domesticated animals and/or pets.

EMBODIMENTS

The observation that BoNT/B is less specific and potent in humans due to its inability to bind human Syt II, may explain why comparatively higher doses are required than BoNT/A. Higher BoNT/B doses correspond to increased chances for triggering antibody responses and for serious side-effects to occur. Therefore, improved binding of BoNT/B to the human receptor Syt II, to increase its efficacy and specificity to target human neurons should allow a reduced amount of the toxin doses used in therapeutic applications.

Aspects of the invention arise from the finding that modifying the protein sequence of BoNT/B-H_(C) modifies binding of the fragment containing the receptor binding domain, to the human Syt II receptor. Specific modifications have been identified that enhance binding, thereby generating a domain that binds human Syt II with high-affinity. The modified BoNT/B-H_(C), when in the context of a full length BoNT protein, retains these binding properties. Incorporation of a modified receptor binding domain with enhanced binding, into a molecule comprising the other BoNT domains, thereby generates a full length BoNT molecule with similarly enhanced receptor binding. As such, new versions of BoNT with high-affinity binding to human Syt II are generated. BoNT with significantly enhanced binding can be used in similar therapies, albeit at lower doses than presently available BoNT molecules, thus providing safer methods of treatment.

The BoNT polypeptides, including full-length BoNT polypeptides and BoNT polypeptide fragments or domains described herein (e.g., the modified BoNT/H_(C)), and nucleic acid molecules which encode them, are explicitly encompassed in the invention. These polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules can be generated by recombinant DNA procedures known in the art. Such polypeptides are typically referred to as “recombinant polypeptides” or “recombinant nucleic acids”.

Botulinum Neurotoxin Protein

One aspect of the invention relates to a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) protein comprising a modified receptor binding domain (e.g., of Clostridial botulinum serotype B), as described herein. The BoNT protein further comprises a protease domain, a translocation domain, and a protease cleavage site. Typically these are arranged in a linear amino-to-carboxyl single polypeptide order of the protease domain, the protease cleavage site, the translocation domain and the modified receptor binding domain. However, different arrangements of the various domains are expected to function adequately. In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain comprises one or more substitution mutations which lead to significantly enhanced binding to the human Syt I receptor and/or the human Syt II receptor.

The BoNT protein may further comprise a domain that is useful for purification of the molecule such as a hexahistidine tag (His6), or an epitope tag such as a hemaglutinin (HA) tag (YPYDVPDYA (SEQ ID NO: 12)). Various such domains are known and used in the art for such purposes.

BoNT has the overall structure shown in FIG. 1B. BoNT is comprised of three domains, each domain having a specific and independent function: a protease domain (also referred to as the light chain), a translocation domain (H_(N)), and a receptor-binding domain (H_(C)). Domains of the various strains of C. botulinum neurotoxin have been shown to be largely interchangeable (as demonstrated by naturally occurred chimeric toxins such as BoNT/CD, which is composed of the light chain and H_(N) of BoNT/C, with the H_(C) of BoNT/D³⁴, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,979, incorporated herein by reference). The protein can be in single chain form or di-chain form. The di-chain form results from the naturally occurring protease processing of a protease cleavage site located between the protease domain and the translocation domain. The protein is maintained in the di-chain form following protease processing by the presence of a di-sulfide bond.

Strains of Clostridia botulinum produce seven antigenically-distinct types of botulinum toxins, which have been identified by investigating botulism outbreaks in man (BoNT/A, /B, /E and /F), animals (BoNT/C1 and /D), or isolated from soil (BoNT/G). While all seven BoNT serotypes have similar structure and pharmacological properties, each also displays heterogeneous bacteriological characteristics. The genetic diversity of the C. botulinum strains is described in detail in Hill et al. (Journal of Bacteriology, Vol. 189, No. 3, p. 818-832 (2007)) 35, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the BoNT of the invention has domains which are all of the same serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G). In one embodiment, one or more of those domains of the same serotype differ as to their strain and/or subtype.

Toxins from the various C. botulinum serotypes/strains share the same functional domain organization and overall structural architecture. C. botulinum toxins are each translated as a single chain polypeptide of approximately 150 kDa that is subsequently cleaved by proteolytic scission within a disulfide loop by a naturally-occurring protease, such as, e.g., an endogenous C. botulinum toxin protease or a naturally-occurring proteases produced in the environment. This posttranslational processing yields a di-chain molecule comprising an approximately 50 kDa light chain (LC) and an approximately 100 kDa heavy chain (HC) held together by a single disulfide bond and noncovalent interactions. Each mature di-chain molecule comprises three functionally distinct domains: 1) a proteolytic domain located in the LC that includes a metalloprotease region containing a zinc-dependent endopeptidase activity which specifically targets core components of the neurotransmitter release apparatus; 2) a translocation domain contained within the amino-terminal half of the HC (H_(N)) that facilitates release of the LC from intracellular vesicles into the cytoplasm of the target cell; and 3) a binding domain found within the carboxyl-terminal half of the HC that determines the binding activity and binding specificity of the toxin to the receptor complex located at the surface of the target cell. The locations of the specific domains within the toxin of various serotypes/strains are provided in Table 1:

TABLE 1 C. botulinum toxin domains from various serotypes/strains Toxin LC H_(N) H_(C) BoNT/A M1-K448 A449-K871 N872-L1296 BoNT/B M1-K441 A442-S858 E859-E1291 BoNT/C1 M1-K449 T450-N866 N867-E1291 BoNT/D M1-R445 D446-N862 S863-E1276 BoNT/E M1-R422 K423-K845 R846-K1252 BoNT/F M1-K439 A440-K864 K865-E1274 BoNT/G M1-K446 S447-S863 N864-E1297

Complete amino acid sequences of the toxins are provided in FIGS. 14-21.

The binding, translocation and protease activity of these three functional domains are all necessary for toxicity. The overall cellular intoxication mechanism whereby C. botulinum toxins enter a neuron and inhibit neurotransmitter release is similar, regardless of serotype or subtype. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the intoxication mechanism involves at least four steps: 1) receptor binding, 2) complex internalization, 3) light chain translocation, and 4) protease target modification. The process is initiated when the H_(C) domain of a C. botulinum toxin binds to a toxin-specific receptor located on the plasma membrane surface of a target cell. The binding specificity of a receptor complex is thought to be achieved, in part, by specific combinations of gangliosides and protein receptors. Once bound, the toxin/receptor complexes are internalized by endocytosis and the internalized vesicles are sorted to specific intracellular routes. The translocation step is triggered by the acidification of the vesicle compartment. Once translocated, light chain endopeptidase of the toxin is released from the intracellular vesicle into the cytosol where it specifically targets one of three proteins known as the core components of the neurotransmitter release apparatus (vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)/synaptobrevin, synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and Syntaxin). These core components are necessary for synaptic vesicle docking and fusion at the nerve terminal and constitute members of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein-receptor (SNARE) family. BoNT/A and BoNT/E cleave SNAP-25 in the carboxyl-terminal region, releasing a nine or twenty-six amino acid segment, respectively, and BoNT/C1 also cleaves SNAP-25 near the carboxyl-terminus. The botulinum serotypes BoNT/B, BoNT/D, BoNT/F and BoNT/G, and tetanus toxin, act on the conserved central portion of VAMP, and release the amino-terminal portion of VAMP into the cytosol. BoNT/C1 cleaves syntaxin at a single site near the cytosolic plasma membrane surface. The selective proteolysis of synaptic SNAREs accounts for the block of neurotransmitter release caused by C. botulinum toxins in vivo. The SNARE protein targets of C. botulinum toxins are common to exocytosis in a variety of non-neuronal types; in these cells, as in neurons, light chain peptidase activity inhibits exocytosis, see, e.g., Yann Humeau et al., How Botulinum and Tetanus Neurotoxins Block Neurotransmitter Release, 82(5) Biochimie. 427-446 (2000); Kathryn Turton et al., Botulinum and Tetanus Neurotoxins: Structure, Function and Therapeutic Utility, 27(11) Trends Biochem. Sci. 552-558. (2002); Giovanna Lalli et al., The Journey of Tetanus and Botulinum Neurotoxins in Neurons, 11(9) Trends Microbiol. 431-437, (2003).

Domains and Chimeric Neurotoxins

The botulinum neurotoxin of the present invention comprises a modified receptor binding domain (H_(C)). The modified receptor binding domain exhibits significantly enhanced binding to one or more human receptors typically bound and utilized by one or more C. botulinum toxin strains (e.g., SytII, SytI). The modified receptor binding domain can be of any serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G), strain or subtype (as described herein). This may be the same or different serotype, strain/subtype as one or more other domains within the BoNT. Examples of specific modified receptor binding domains are provided herein. The isolated modified receptor binding domain polypeptide described herein is also encompassed by the present invention, as is the isolated nucleic acid molecule by which it is encoded. In one embodiment, the H_(C) is serotype B. In one embodiment, the H_(C) is serotype A.

The botulinum neurotoxin of the present invention also comprises a protease domain, also referred to in the art as a light chain variant. The light chain variant may be a naturally occurring light chain variant, such as, e.g., C. botulinum toxin light chain isoforms and C. botulinum toxin light chain subtypes; or a non-naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin light chain variant, such as, e.g., conservative substitution C. botulinum toxin light chain variants. The protease domain can be of any serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G), strain or subtype (as described herein). This may be the same or different serotype, strain/subtype as one or more other domains within the BoNT. In one embodiment, the protease domain is serotype B. In one embodiment, the protease domain is serotype A.

The botulinum neurotoxin of the present invention also comprises a toxin translocation domain (H_(N)). The toxin translocation domain can be of any serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G), strain or subtype (as described herein). This may be the same or different serotype, strain/subtype as one or more other domains within the BoNT. In one embodiment, the H_(N) is serotype B. In one embodiment, the H_(N) is serotype A.

The various domains described herein (e.g., H_(N), H_(C), or protease domain) include, without limitation, naturally occurring variants, such as, e.g., isoforms and subtypes; non-naturally occurring variants, such as, e.g., conservative substitution mutations. Non-naturally-occurring variants, refers to a domain that has at least one amino acid change from the corresponding region of the reference sequences (e.g., from Table 1 or FIGS. 14, 16-23) and can be described in percent identity to the corresponding region of that reference sequence.

It is recognized by those of skill in the art that within each serotype of C. botulinum toxin there can be naturally occurring C. botulinum domain variants that differ somewhat in their amino acid sequence, and also in the nucleic acids encoding these proteins. A naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain (e.g., light chain, H_(N) or H_(C)) variant envisioned for use in the generation of the BoNT of the present invention can function in substantially the same manner as the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the naturally occurring C. botulinum domain variant is based, and can be substituted for the reference C. botulinum toxin domain in any aspect of the present invention.

A non-limiting example of a naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain variant is a C. botulinum toxin domain isoform such as, e.g., a BoNT/A domain isoform, a BoNT/B domain isoform, a BoNT/C1 domain isoform, a BoNT/D domain isoform, a BoNT/E domain isoform, a BoNT/F domain isoform, and a BoNT/G domain isoform. A C. botulinum toxin domain isoform can function in substantially the same manner as the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the C. botulinum toxin domain isoform is based, and can be substituted for the reference C. botulinum toxin domain in any aspect of the present invention.

Another non-limiting example of a naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain variant is a C. botulinum toxin domain subtype such as, e.g., a domain from subtype BoNT/A1, BoNT/A2, BoNT/A3, BoNT/A4, BoNT/A5; a domain from subtype BoNT/B1, BoNT/B2, BoNT/B3, BoNT/B4, BoNT/B5, BoNT/B6, BoNT/B7; a domain from subtype BoNT/C1-1, BoNT/C1-2, BoNT/D-C; a domain from subtype BoNT/E1, BoNT/E2, BoNT/E3, BoNT/E4, BoNT/E5, BoNT/E6, BoNT/E7, BoNT/E8; and a domain from subtype BoNT/F1, BoNT/F2, BoNT/F3, BoNT/F4, BoNT/F5, BoNT/F6, BoNT/F7. A C. botulinum toxin domain subtype can function in substantially the same manner as the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the C. botulinum toxin domain subtype is based, and can be substituted for the reference C. botulinum toxin domain in any aspect of the present invention.

As used herein, the term “non-naturally occurring variant” (e.g., C. botulinum toxin light chain variant, H_(C) and H_(N)) means a C. botulinum domain produced with the aid of human manipulation, including, without limitation, domains produced by genetic engineering using random mutagenesis or rational design and C. botulinum domains produced by chemical synthesis. Non-limiting examples of non-naturally occurring C. botulinum domain variants include, e.g., conservative C. botulinum domain variants. As used herein, the term “conservative C. botulinum domain variant” means a C. botulinum domain that has at least one amino acid substituted by another amino acid or an amino acid analog that has at least one property similar to that of the original amino acid from the reference C. botulinum domain sequence (e.g., Table 1 and FIGS. 12, 14-21). The variant may have one, two, three, four, five or more conservative amino acid substitutions compared to the reference domain sequence. Examples of properties include, without limitation, similar size, topography, charge, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, lipophilicity, covalent-bonding capacity, hydrogen-bonding capacity, a physicochemical property, of the like, or any combination thereof. A conservative C. botulinum domain variant can function in substantially the same manner as the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the conservative C. botulinum toxin domain variant is based, and can be substituted for the reference C. botulinum domain in any aspect of the present invention.

A non-naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain variant may substitute one or more amino acids (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more) from the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain is based. A non-naturally occurring C. botulinum toxin domain variant can also possess 95% or more (e.g., 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%) amino acid identity to the reference C. botulinum toxin domain on which the naturally occurring C. botulinum domain variant is based.

Various non-naturally occurring C. botulinum neurotoxins or specific domains thereof, are described in International Patent Publications WO95/32738, WO96/33273, WO98/07864 and WO99/17806, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The C. botulinum neurotoxin or specific domain thereof described herein will typically contain naturally occurring amino acid residues, but in some cases non-naturally occurring amino acid residues may also be present. Therefore, so-called “peptide mimetics” and “peptide analogues”, which may include non-amino acid chemical structures that mimic the structure of a particular amino acid or peptide, may also be used within the context of the invention. Such mimetics or analogues are characterized generally as exhibiting similar physical characteristics such as size, charge or hydrophobicity, and the appropriate spatial orientation that is found in their natural peptide counterparts. A specific example of a peptide mimetic compound is a compound in which the amide bond between one or more of the amino acids is replaced by, for example, a carbon-carbon bond or other non-amide bond, as is well known in the art (see, for example Sawyer, in Peptide Based Drug Design, pp. 378-422, ACS, Washington D.C. 1995).

In one aspect of the invention, the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) of the present invention comprises a modified receptor binding domain of C. botulinum serotype B (BoNT/B-H_(C)). The modified BoNT/B-H_(C) comprises one or more substitution mutations which lead to significantly enhanced binding to the human Syt I receptor and/or the human Syt II receptor. In one embodiment, the BoNT/B-H_(c) is from BoNT/B1 (GenBank access No.: AB232927.1). The amino acid sequence of BoNT/B1-H_(C) Okra strain, used as the reference template in the present invention is shown in FIG. 12. The generation of B-H_(c) from other strains and subtypes by substitution of the amino acids that correspond to the specified position(s) in B1 described herein is also envisioned, as is the generation of longer molecules that incorporate the B-H_(c) such as complete BoNT or a polypeptide comprising the modified B-H_(c). Such molecules are also encompassed in the invention. In one embodiment, the BoNT or the polypeptide of the present invention comprises a modified receptor binding domain which is not a BoNT/B4 strain known as the Eklund strain (NCBI Reference Sequence: YP_001893661.1, Genbank Ref: EF051570.1), shown in FIG. 21. In one embodiment, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 3, 7 or 8.

Toxin diffusion and generation of neutralization antibodies is a problem associated with but not limited to BoNT/B, as they are also observed with BoNT/A. Improvement of the binding affinity of BoNT/A to its receptor SV2 would relieve these problems. Because BoNT/B binding to Syt I/II has much higher affinity than BoNT/A binding to SV2^(14,20,26,27), a modified BoNT/B receptor binding domain (BoNT/B-H_(C)) with the ability to bind human Syt II can also be used to replace BoNT/A-H_(C) to generate a modified chimeric BoNT/A which may have greater efficacy and specificity for human neurons than WT BoNT/A.²⁸ ²⁹ ³⁰

It is further envisioned that the modified H_(c) described above (e.g., BoNT/B-H_(C)) can be utilized to replace the H_(c) of all other BoNT serotypes/strains. As such, another aspect of the invention is a BoNT polypeptide comprising a modified receptor biding domain (H_(C)) of serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G), joined with one or more domains of a different serotype (A, B, C, D, E, F or G), strain or subtype to thereby produce a chimeric neurotoxin. The H_(C) region of each BoNTs is well defined and respective H_(C) regions can be exchanged in the BoNT molecule (e.g., via genetic engineering). Such manipulation is routinely performed by the skilled practitioner via standard PCR fusion of DNA encoding BoNT/B-H_(C) with the light chain (LC) and translocation domain (H_(N)), or H_(N)-LC, of other BoNTs, which has been well-established in the art. In addition, the replacement may also be performed using the C-terminal part of BoNT/B-H_(C) (designated as H_(CC)), which is the region containing the binding site for protein receptors and gangliosides in each BoNT. The resulting chimeric toxins will have the ability to target human neurons via binding to human Syt I/II. As a non-limiting example, modified BoNT/B-H_(C) (or BoNT/B-H_(CC)) can be used to replace the H_(C) (or H_(CC)) of BoNT/A. The resulting polypeptides are encompassed by the instant invention. These chimeric toxins may have a higher efficacy and specificity targeting human neurons than WT BoNT/A. Such a chimeric BoNT/A toxin can be used for therapeutic applications in humans and offers significant improvements over WT BoNT/A.

One aspect of the invention relates to an isolated, purified modified receptor binding domain polypeptide as described herein. In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain is BoNT/B-H_(C) (e.g., from BoNT/B1). In one embodiment, the B-H_(c) is generated from a different strain and/or subtype of BoNT by substitution of the amino acids that correspond to the specified position(s) in B1 described herein. In one embodiment, the H_(C) is subtype B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 or B7. In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain is not from BoNT/B4 (the Eklund strain). In one embodiment, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 3, 7 or 8.

The present invention encompasses mutant full-length BoNT that contains a modified H_(C) (e.g., B-H_(C)) with amino acid substitutions as described herein, for therapeutic applications in humans. In one embodiment, the full-length BoNT contains a modified H_(C) (e.g., B-H_(C)) with an amino acid substitution at one or combinations of the amino acid residues corresponding to position E1191, S1199, Y1183, and W1178 of B1 (e.g., selected from those listed in Table 2). In one embodiment, the BoNT contains a modified H_(C) (e.g., B-H_(C)) with a single amino acid substitution as described herein. In one embodiment, the BoNT contains a modified H_(C) (e.g., B-H_(C)) with two amino acid substitutions as described herein. In one embodiment, the BoNT contains a modified H_(C) (e.g., B-H_(C)) with three amino acid substitutions as described herein. The mutations can be made in the same manner as disclosed herein for BoNT/H_(C), (e.g., using any one of BoNT/B subtypes or any serotype as template). In one embodiment, the mutant full-length BoNT contains a modified Hc that is not from BoNT/B4 (the Eklund strain). In one embodiment, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 3, 7 or 8.

The resulting BoNT toxin can have significantly enhanced binding to human Syt II, and therefore will achieve higher efficacy and specificity to target human neurons than WT BoNT. The resulting mutant may further maintain similar binding to human SytI, have significantly enhanced binding to human SytI, or have significantly reduced binding to human SytI.

Polypeptides and Chimeric Polypeptides

Another aspect of the invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the modified receptor binding domain (e.g., of serotype A, B, C, D, E, F or G). In one embodiment, the modified Hc, in the context of the polypeptide, has significantly enhanced binding to human Syt II and/or Syt I, as compared to the analogous polypeptide with WT amino acids at the specific positions modified in the Hc (the wild type counterpart). In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain is BoNT/B-H_(C) (e.g., from BoNT/B1). In one embodiment, the modified H_(c) is generated from a different serotype, strain and/or subtype of BoNT by substitution of the amino acids that correspond to the specified position(s) in B1 described herein. In one embodiment, the modified Hc is not from BoNT/B4 (the Eklund strain). In one embodiment, the modified B-Hc is not of strain 3, 7 or 8. In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain has one or more modifications (amino acid substitutions) in the C-terminal part of BoNT/B-H_(C) (designated as H_(CC)), which is the region containing the binding site for protein receptors and gangliosides in each BoNT. In one embodiment, the resulting polypeptide has the ability to target human neurons via binding to human SytI/II.

The polypeptide comprising the modified receptor binding domain may be a fusion protein of the receptor binding domain and another functional polypeptide (e.g., a functional polypeptide utilized in a 2-hybrid system (bait or prey such as T18 or T25, or glutathione S transferase (GST)). This can also be referred to as a chimeric polypeptide molecule. Alternatively, it may be a fusion of the modified receptor binding domain and a polypeptide tag for identification purposes and/or purification purposes (e.g., a hexahistidine tag (His6), or an epitope tag such as a hemaglutinin (HA) tag (YPYDVPDYA (SEQ ID NO: 12)), or GST), many of which are known and commonly used in the art. The fusion may have a stretch of amino acids between the respective functional domains that facilitates linkage, serves as a cleavage site, or to preserve independent conformation and/or function. In one embodiment, the linkage preserves the function of the modified receptor binding domain. In one embodiment, the linkage masks the function of the modified receptor binding domain. Another aspect of the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule which encodes any one of such polypeptides.

The modified BoNT/H_(C) (e.g., B-H_(C)) can be linked to other agents (e.g., proteins, small molecules, short polypeptides, nucleic acids) covalently (e.g., as a fusion protein) or non-covalently. As such, another aspect of the invention relates to a chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a modified receptor binding domain of C. botulinum (e.g., serotype B), as described herein, linked to a second portion. The second portion of the molecule can be a bioactive (or “biologically active”) molecule such as a therapeutic agent (e.g., a polypeptide or non-polypeptide drug such as a small molecule or nucleic acid). Linkage of the first and second portions of the molecule can be covalent (e.g., in the form of a fusion protein) or non-covalent. Methods of such linkage are known in the art and can readily be applied by the skilled practitioner. One such use of a chimeric molecule of the invention is as a delivery tool to target neurons in humans. For example, the modified BoNT/H_(C) can be linked to other therapeutic agents, to serve as the targeting vehicle to deliver the therapeutic agents to neurons in humans by binding to human Syt I and/or Syt II.

Modifications of the Receptor Binding Domain (Hc)

As discussed herein, the invention relates to a modified Hc and polypeptides comprising the modified Hc (e.g., BoNT or a fusion or chimeric polypeptide). The modification of the H_(C) amino acid sequence used to generate these various polypeptides of the invention can be performed by various methods known to the skilled practitioner. Examples include, without limitation, targeted mutagenesis (site-directed mutagenesis) or random mutagenesis of each amino acid residue within the region known for binding Syt I/II. These Syt binding regions are well defined by previous studies relating to mouse or rat Syt receptors^(1,29,36,31,32) but have not been clearly determined for interactions between BoNT/B-H_(c) and human Syt receptors. Different subtypes of BoNT/B, or other serotypes which bind to Syt I/II (D-C or G), can be used as the template to create the same or similar mutations by generating corresponding mutations described herein for B1-H_(C). The corresponding position for selected residues to be mutated can be readily identified by sequence alignment with the B1 subtype. The resulting polypeptide products are encompasses by the instant invention, as are polypeptides comprising said products and nucleic acid molecules encoding said polypeptides and products.

Amino acid sequence modifications of H_(c) to produce the modified receptor binding domain can be mutation of a single residue to a different amino acid (single site substitution), mutation of multiple residues at the same time (multiple sites substitution), deletion of one or more residues (deletion), and insertion of one or more residues (insertion), as well as combinations thereof. Methods for mutating proteins are well-known in the art (e.g., targeted single site and multiple sites substitutions on the DNA encoding the BoNT/H_(C) sequence).

In one embodiment, one or more residues in H_(C) that either contact rodent Syt II or the surrounding regions, based on previous literatures on BoNT/B receptor binding domain²⁹ and reported BoNT/B-Syt II structure (PDB ID: 2NM1)^(31,32), are modified. These include, without limitation those positions that correspond to position Y1181, P1197, A1196, F1204, F1194, P1117, W1178, Y1183, V1118, S1116, K1113, K1192, S1199, S1201, E1191, E1245, Y1256, D1115, E1203 of BoNT/B-B1. In one embodiment, one or more of these residues is systemically replaced with other amino acids. Combinations of various modifications are also envisioned, including, without limitation, mutations of two or more recited positions, to any variety of amino acids, such as those recited herein.

Multiple site substitutions (e.g., 2 or 3) can be generated by combining mutations in these identified key residues. Such multiple site substitution mutants may have even further enhanced binding to h-Syt II and may further maintain or have enhanced binding to human Syt I. In one embodiment, the modified H_(C) has a first amino acid substitution that corresponds to E1191 of serotype B, strain 1, substituted with either Q, M, C, V, L, or Y. In one embodiment, the modified H_(C) has a second site substitution that corresponds to either S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, S1199F or S1199L of serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment, the modified H_(C) has a multiple site substitution that corresponds to either E1191M and S1199W, E1191M and W1178Q, E1191C and S1199W, E1191C and S1199Y, E1191C and W1178Q, E1191Q and S1199W, E1191V and S1199W, E1191V and S1199Y, or E1191V and W1178Q, of serotype B, strain 1.

In one embodiment, the modified receptor binding domain comprises a substitution mutation at a position corresponding to Y1181, P1197, A1196, F1204, F1194, P1117, W1178, Y1183, V1118, 51116, K1113, K1192, S1199, S1201, E1191, E1245, D1115, E1203 or Y1256 of serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment, the substitution mutation is A, R, N, D, C, Q, E, G, H, I, L, K, M, F, P, T, W, Y or V substituted for S. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to S1199 or S1201 of serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment, the substitution mutation is W, E or H. In one embodiment, the substitution mutation is at S1199, and is W, E or H. In one embodiment, the substitution mutation is at S1201 and is V. In one embodiment, the positions corresponds to W1178, Y1183, or E1191. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to W1178 and the substitution mutation is Y, Q, A or S. In one embodiment, the position correspond to Y1183 and the substitution mutation is C or P. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to E1191 and the substitution mutation is C, V, L, or Y.

A modified H_(c) with a single amino acid substitution mutation shown below in Table 2 is also environed, as is its incorporation in the various polypeptides described herein.

TABLE 2 E1191M Y1183C S1199E E1191Q Y1183P S1199H E1191C Y1183M S1199Y P1117S A1196Y E1191V S1199W P1117M E1191L W1178Q S1199F P1117Y Y1181M E1191Y W1178Y S1199L E1191T W1178A V1118M E1191I W1178S S1201V

In one embodiment, the H_(C) comprises one or more mutations that correspond to E1191C/V/L/Y (E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, or E1191Y), S1199W/E/H (S1199W, S1199E, or S1199H), W1178Y/Q/A/S (W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, or W1178S), and/or Y1183C/P (Y1183C or Y1183P) of serotype B, strain 1 (FIG. 3A, B).

In one embodiment, the H_(C) has two substitution mutations wherein one is a substitution mutation corresponding to position 1191 selected from Table 2. In one embodiment, the Hc has enhanced binding to h-Syt II compared to the analogous polypeptide having WT amino acids at the specified positions (also referred to herein as the wild type counterpart). In one embodiment, the generated mutant also maintains or has significantly enhanced binding to human Syt I as compared to the wild type counterpart. In particular, the mutation is E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, or E1191Y. More particularly, the mutation that corresponds to position E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, or E1191Y is combined with a second mutation (e.g., such as those described herein) to generate a modified H_(c) that has enhanced binding to h-Syt II compared to the analogous polypeptide having WT amino acids at the specified positions (also referred to herein as the wild type counterpart). In one embodiment, the generated mutant also maintains or has significantly enhanced binding to human Syt I as compared to the wild type counterpart (FIG. 4A). In one embodiment, the second mutation is a substitution mutation corresponding to a substitution shown for position 1183, 1199, 1201, 1178, 1117, or 1181 in Table 2. In one embodiment, the second mutation is S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, S1199F or S1199L. In one embodiment the H_(C) has two substitution mutations that correspond to those shown for serotype B, strain 1, in Table 3:

TABLE 3 E1191M and S1199Y E1191Q and S1199Y E1191C and S1199Y E1191M and S1199W E1191Q and S1199W E1191C and S1199W E1191M and S1199L E1191Q and S1199L E1191V and S1199Y E1191M and S1199Y E1191Q and S1199Y E1191V and S1199W E1191M and S1199F E1191Q and S1199F E1191M and W1178Q E1191Q and W1178Q E1191C and W1178Q E1191V and W1178Q

In one embodiment, the H_(C) has three substitution mutations, also referred to herein as a triple mutation. In one embodiment of the triple mutation, the first mutation corresponds to E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, S1199F, S1199L, Y1183C, Y1183P, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A or W1178S of serotype B, strain 1. In one embodiment, the second mutation corresponds to E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, S1199F, S1199L, Y1183C, Y1183P, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A or W1178S of serotype B, strain 1 (exclusive of the position serving as the first mutation). In one embodiment, the third substitution corresponds to E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, S1199F, S1199L, Y1183C, Y1183P, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A or W1178S of serotype B, strain 1 (exclusive of the positions serving as the first and second mutations). In one embodiment of the invention, the double or triple mutation does not contain a Q substituted at both positions corresponding to E1191 and W1178.

In one embodiment of the triple mutation, one mutation is a substitution mutation that corresponds to a substitution shown for E1191 in Table 2 (e.g., E1191Q/M/C/V/L or Y). The second mutation may be a substitution mutation corresponding to a substitution shown for S1199 in Table 2 (e.g., S1199W/E/H/Y/F or L). The third mutation may be a substitution mutation corresponding to a substitution shown for W1178 in Table 2 (e.g., W1178Y/Q/A or S). Alternatively, the third mutation may be a substitution mutation corresponding to a substitution shown for Y1183 in Table 2. (e.g., Y1183C, Y1183P). In one embodiment, the triple mutation corresponds to E1191M/S1199W/W1178Q.

Nucleic Acid Molecules

Another aspect of the invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the polypeptides described herein (e.g., modified receptor binding domain, or a polypeptide comprising the modified receptor binding domain, or the botulinum neurotoxin comprising the modified receptor binding domain, described herein). In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 13. Such nucleic acid molecules can be produced by the skilled practitioner, for example by recombinant DNA techniques. The desired amino acid substitution mutation is made, for example, by modification of the encoding DNA. For example, nucleic acid sequences coding for the polypeptides described herein are generated by mutating the nucleic acid codon encoding the specified amino acid to the desired amino acid using the genetic code shown below:

TTT Phe TCT Ser TAT Tyr TGT Cys TTC Phe TCC Ser TAC Tyr TGC Cys TTA Leu TCA Ser TGA TTG Leu TCG Ser TGG Trp CTT Leu CCT Pro CAT His CGT Arg CTC Leu CCC Pro  CAC His CGC Arg CTA Leu CCA Pro CAA Gln CGA Arg CTG Leu CCG Pro CAG Gln CGG Arg ATT Ile ACT Thr AAT Asn AGT Ser ATC Ile ACC Thr AAC Asn AGC Ser ATA Ile ACA Thr AAA Lys AGA Arg ATG Met* ACG Thr AAG Lys AGG Arg GTT Val GCT Ala GAT Asp GGT Gly GTC Val GCC Ala GAC Asp GGC Gly GTA  Val GCA Ala GAA Glu GGA Gly GTG Val GCG Ala GAG Glu GGG Gly

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence is optimized for expression in E. coli (e.g., the nucleic acid sequence based on GenBank AB232927.1, the relevant portion of which is shown in FIG. 13).

Another aspect of the invention relates to a nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule described herein. In one embodiment the vector is an expression vector. Such an expression vector is referred to herein as an expression construct, and comprises a nucleic acid molecule disclosed herein operably-linked to the expression vector useful for expressing the nucleic acid molecule in a cell or cell-free extract. A wide variety of expression vectors can be employed for expressing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a C. botulinum neurotoxin of the present invention including, without limitation, a viral expression vector; a prokaryotic expression vector; eukaryotic expression vectors, such as, e.g., a yeast expression vector, an insect expression vector and a mammalian expression vector; and a cell-free extract expression vector. It is further understood that expression vectors useful to practice aspects of these methods may include those which express the C. botulinum neurotoxin under control of a constitutive, tissue-specific, cell-specific or inducible promoter element, enhancer element or both. Non-limiting examples of expression vectors, along with well-established reagents and conditions for making and using an expression construct from such expression vectors are readily available from commercial vendors that include, without limitation, BD Biosciences-Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.; BD Biosciences Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.; Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.; EMD Biosciences-Novagen, Madison, Wis.; QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, Calif.; and Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif. The selection, making and use of an appropriate expression vector are routine procedures well within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teachings herein.

Cells

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule or expression construct described herein. The cell can be for propagation of the nucleic acid or for expression of the nucleic acid, or both. Such cells include, without limitation, prokaryotic cells including, without limitation, strains of aerobic, microaerophilic, capnophilic, facultative, anaerobic, gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial cells such as those derived from, e.g., Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridia perfringens, Clostridia difficile, Caulobacter crescentus, Lactococcus lactis, Methylobacterium extorquens, Neisseria meningirulls, Neisseria meningitidis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Salmonella typhimurium; and eukaryotic cells including, without limitation, yeast strains, such as, e.g., those derived from Pichia pastoris, Pichia methanolica, Pichia angusta, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica; insect cells and cell lines derived from insects, such as, e.g., those derived from Spodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusia ni, Drosophila melanogaster and Manduca sexta; and mammalian cells and cell lines derived from mammalian cells, such as, e.g., those derived from mouse, rat, hamster, porcine, bovine, equine, primate and human. Cell lines may be obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, European Collection of Cell Cultures and the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures. Non-limiting examples of specific protocols for selecting, making and using an appropriate cell line are described in e.g., INSECT CELL CULTURE ENGINEERING (Mattheus F. A. Goosen et al. eds., Marcel Dekker, 1993); INSECT CELL CULTURES: FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS (J. M. Vlak et al. eds., Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1996); Maureen A. Harrison & Ian F. Rae, GENERAL TECHNIQUES OF CELL CULTURE (Cambridge University Press, 1997); CELL AND TISSUE CULTURE: LABORATORY PROCEDURES (Alan Doyle et al eds., John Wiley and Sons, 1998); R. Ian Freshney, CULTURE OF ANIMAL CELLS: A MANUAL OF BASIC TECHNIQUE (Wiley-Liss, 4.sup.th ed. 2000); ANIMAL CELL CULTURE: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (John R. W. Masters ed., Oxford University Press, 3.sup.rd ed. 2000); MOLECULAR CLONING A LABORATORY MANUAL, supra, (2001); BASIC CELL CULTURE: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (John M. Davis, Oxford Press, 2.sup.nd ed. 2002); and CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, supra, (2004). These protocols are routine procedures within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teaching herein.

The cell can be for expression of the nucleic acid to thereby generate the encoded polypeptide. As such, another aspect of the invention is a method for producing a botulinum neurotoxin protein, an isolated HC, or a polypeptide comprising a modified HC, described herein. Such polypeptides are produced by culturing the host cell that has within it a nucleic acid that encodes the polypeptide, in the context of an expression construct. Culturing is performed under condition suitable for production of the BoNT polypeptide. The expressed polypeptide can be recovered from the culture, purified and formulated by methods known in the art. The expressed polypeptide can also be activated as necessary by methods known in the art. One method of activating the expressed polypeptide is through cleavage (or nicking) by proteases into an active dichain form. Such methods can be adapted from those known in the art, for example as disclosed by Peter F. Bonventre and Lloyd L. KLempe (J. Bacteriol 1960, 79(1): 23 and Michaeal L. Dekleva and Bibhuti R. DasGupta (Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communicaitons 1989, 162: 767-772).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the C. botulinum neurotoxin, or chimeric molecule described herein. In one embodiment, the polypeptide described herein is an active ingredient in a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (referred to herein as a pharmaceutical composition). A “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” means any pharmaceutically acceptable means to mix and/or deliver the targeted delivery composition to a subject. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein means a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material, involved in carrying or transporting the subject agents from one organ, or portion of the body, to another organ, or portion of the body. Each carrier must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the composition and is compatible with administration to a subject, for example a human. Such compositions can be specifically formulated for administration via one or more of a number of routes, such as the routes of administration described herein. Supplementary active ingredients also can be incorporated into the compositions. When an agent, formulation or pharmaceutical composition described herein, is administered to a subject, preferably, a therapeutically effective amount is administered. As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount that results in an improvement or remediation of the condition. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for administration by injection. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition involves the botulinum neurotoxin encapsulated in microspheres. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition involves the botulinum neurotoxin formulated for transepithelial delivery. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition involves the botulinum neurotoxin formulated for slow release.

In one embodiment, the botulinum neurotoxin, polypeptide, or chimeric molecule of the present invention is in the form of a controlled release formula. Such compositions and methods for administration are provides in U.S. Patent publication No. 2007/0020295, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Botulinum neurotoxin can be obtained by establishing and growing cultures of Clostridium botulinum in a fermenter and then harvesting and purifying the fermented mixture in accordance with known procedures. All the botulinum toxin serotypes are initially synthesized as inactive single chain proteins which must be cleaved or nicked by proteases to become neuroactive. The bacterial strains that make botulinum toxin serotypes A and G possess endogenous proteases and serotypes A and G can therefore be recovered from bacterial cultures in predominantly their active form. In contrast, botulinum toxin serotypes C₁, D and E are synthesized by nonproteolytic strains and are therefore typically unactivated when recovered from culture. Serotypes B and F are produced by both proteolytic and nonproteolytic strains and therefore can be recovered in either the active or inactive form. The proteolytic strains that produce, for example, the botulinum toxin type B serotype may only cleave a portion of the toxin produced. The exact proportion of nicked to unnicked molecules depends on the length of incubation and the temperature of the culture. Therefore, a certain percentage of a preparation of, for example, the botulinum toxin type B toxin may be inactive. In one embodiment, the neurotoxin of the present invention is in an active state. In one embodiment, the neurotoxin is in an inactive state. In one embodiment, a combination of active and inactive neurotoxin is envisioned.

Kits

Also encompassed in the present invention is a kit comprising the BoNT or polypeptide disclosed herein (e.g., in the form of a pharmaceutical composition). The kit may comprise one or more of the compositions described herein packaged in a vial. The kit may further comprise a delivery tool or device for the therapeutic administration of the composition, and/or instructions for therapeutic administration. The kit may have all components therein packaged into a formed container.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a delivery tool or device for administration of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein, pre-loaded with the pharmaceutical composition (e.g., for single use). Such devices may be a syringe or a microneedle device for delivery of the compositions. The syringe may be a single use syringe pre-loaded with an effective amount of the composition. The microneedle device may comprise one or more microneedles coated with the composition described herein, such as is described in U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0196445, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

Methods of Treatment

The present invention also includes methods for treating a condition typically treated with a neurotoxin (e.g, skeletal muscle conditions, smooth muscle conditions, glandular conditions, a neuromuscular disorder, an autonomic disorder, pain, or an aesthetic/cosmetic condition). Such conditions are associated with unwanted neuronal activity, as determined by the skilled practitioner. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a BoNT or polypeptide/chimeric molecule described herein (e.g. as a pharmaceutical composition) to the appropriate location in the mammal to reduce the unwanted neuronal activity, to thereby treat the condition. Administration is by a route that contacts an effective amount of the composition to neurons exhibiting the unwanted activity.

Specific conditions envisioned for treatment by the methods discussed herein include, without limitation, spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, laryngeal dystonia, oromandibular dysphonia, lingual dystonia, cervical dystonia, focal hand dystonia, blepharospasm, strabismus, hemifacial spasm, eyelid disorder, cerebral palsy, focal spasticity and other voice disorders, spasmodic colitis, neurogenic bladder (i.e. all diseases involving urinary incontinence, such as e.g., neurogenic detrusor overactivity or idiopathic overactive bladder), prostate cancer and other cancer forms, anismus, limb spasticity, tics, tremors, bruxism, anal fissure, achalasia, dysphagia and other muscle tone disorders and other disorders characterized by involuntary movements of muscle groups, lacrimation, hyperhydrosis, excessive salivation, excessive gastrointestinal secretions as well as other secretory disorders, pain from muscle spasms, neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, heachache pain, such as e.g. migraine, itch (pruritis), acne. In addition, the present invention can be used to treat dermatological or aesthetic/cosmetic conditions, for example, reduction of brow furrows, reduction of skin wrinkles. The present invention can also be used in the treatment of sports injuries.

In addition, the modified neurotoxin can be administered to treat other neuromuscular disorders using well known techniques that are commonly performed with botulinum type A. For example, the present invention can be used to treat pain, for example, headache pain, pain from muscle spasms and various forms of inflammatory pain. For example, Aoki U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,215 and Aoki U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,915 disclose methods of using botulinum toxin type A for treating pain. The disclosure of these two patents is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

Autonomic nervous system disorders can also be treated with a modified neurotoxin. For example, glandular malfunctioning is an autonomic nervous system disorder. Glandular malfunctioning includes excessive sweating and excessive salivation. Respiratory malfunctioning is another example of an autonomic nervous system disorder. Respiratory malfunctioning includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Sanders et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,605 disclose methods for treating the autonomic nervous system; for example, treating autonomic nervous system disorders such as excessive sweating, excessive salivation, asthma, etc., using naturally existing botulinum toxins. The disclosure of Sander et al. is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. In one embodiment, substantially similar methods to that of Sanders et al. can be employed, but using a modified neurotoxin, to treat autonomic nervous system disorders such as the ones discussed above. For example, a modified neurotoxin can be locally applied to the nasal cavity of the mammal in an amount sufficient to degenerate cholinergic neurons of the autonomic nervous system that control the mucous secretion in the nasal cavity.

Pain that can be treated by a modified neurotoxin includes pain caused by muscle tension, or spasm, or pain that is not associated with muscle spasm. For example, Binder in U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,468 discloses that headache caused by vascular disturbances, muscular tension, neuralgia and neuropathy can be treated with a naturally occurring botulinum toxin, for example Botulinum type A. The disclosures of Binder are incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. In one embodiment, substantially similar methods to that of Binder can be employed, but using a modified neurotoxin, to treat headache, especially the ones caused by vascular disturbances, muscular tension, neuralgia and neuropathy. Pain caused by muscle spasm can also be treated by an administration of a modified neurotoxin. For example, WO2006001676 (Kang Ahn) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin for treating knee joint pain caused by saphenous nerve entrapment, WO2008059126 (Christine Favre et al.) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin for treating pain induced by chemotherapy, WO2008090287 (Christine Favre et al.) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin for treating pain induced by anti-HIV treatment, WO2009130600 (Christine Favre et al.) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin for treating pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, and WO2007144493 (Michel Auguet et al.) discloses methods of using a botulinum neurotoxin in combination with an opiate derivative for treating pain. The disclosures of WO2006001676, WO2008059126, WO2008090287, WO2009130600, WO2007144493 are incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. Furthermore, a modified neurotoxin can be administered to a mammal to treat pain that is not associated with a muscular disorder, such as spasm. In one broad embodiment, methods of the present invention to treat non-spasm related pain include central administration or peripheral administration of the modified neurotoxin.

An acute or chronic pain that is not associated with a muscle spasm can also be alleviated with a local, peripheral administration of the modified neurotoxin to an actual or a perceived pain location on the mammal. In one embodiment, the modified neurotoxin is administered subcutaneously at or near the location of pain, for example, at or near a cut. In some embodiments, the modified neurotoxin is administered intramuscularly at or near the location of pain, for example, at or near a bruise location on the mammal. In some embodiments, the modified neurotoxin is injected directly into a joint of a mammal, for treating or alleviating pain caused by arthritic conditions. Also, frequent repeated injection or infusion of the modified neurotoxin to a peripheral pain location is within the scope of the present invention

Routes of administration for such methods are known in the art and easily adapted to the methods described herein by the skilled practitioner (e.g., see for example, Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (1998), edited by Anthony Fauci et al., 14th edition, published by McGraw Hill). By way of non-limiting example, the treatment of a neuromuscular disorder can comprise a step of locally administering an effective amount of the molecule to a muscle or a group of muscles, the treatment of an autonomic disorder can comprise a step of locally administering an effective of the molecule to a gland or glands, and the treatment of pain can comprise a step of administering an effective amount of the molecule the site of the pain. In addition, the treatment of pain can comprise a step of administering an effective amount of a modified neurotoxin to the spinal cord.

It is also envisioned that the modified H_(C) (e.g., B-H_(C)) described herein can be utilized as a delivery tool to target neurons and other cell types that express human synaptotagmin II in humans. For example, the modified H_(C) linked to another bioactive molecule (e.g., therapeutic agent) covalently or non-covalently to thereby form a chimeric molecule described herein, can serve as the targeting vehicle to deliver the bioactive molecule to neurons and other cell types that express human synaptotagmin II in humans by binding to human Syt I and/or Syt II. As such, another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a chimeric polypeptide molecule described herein to deliver the bioactive molecule to a neuron in a human subject. The second portion of the molecule can be a bioactive molecule such as a therapeutic agent (e.g., a polypeptide or drug). Linkage of the first and second portions of the molecule can be covalent (e.g., in the form of a fusion protein) or non-covalent. Methods of such linkage are known in the art and can readily be applied by the skilled practitioner. The chimeric polypeptide molecule would be administered by a route that resulted in contacting of the polypeptide to the neurons expressing the receptor to which the modified B-H_(C) specifically binds (the target neuron), as described herein.

Identifying Receptor Binding Activity

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for identifying a modified BoNT receptor binding domain for its ability to bind to a receptor (e.g. a human Syt I or human Syt II, or human SV2). The method utilizes the 2-hybrid assay system and utilizes fusions proteins made of the receptor and of the modified Hc respectively fused (expressed as fusions proteins) to the respective “bait” and “prey” subunits used in the 2-hybrid assay (e.g., Gal 4 transcription activation system utilizing an activation domain and a DNA binding domain). The 2-hybrid assay is typically performed in yeast (S. cerevisiae), but similar assay systems have been developed for use in other single celled organisms as well such as in E. coli. Those systems are equally comparable. In one embodiment, the bacterial adenylate cyclase 2-hybrid assay is used (Karimova et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. May 12, 1998; 95(10): 5752-5756, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). The system uses T18 and T25 as bait and prey, and can utilize E. coli BTH101 cells.

The modified Hc is expressed as a fusion protein with T18 (referred to as a first fusion protein) in the E. coli of the 2-hybrid assay. In the method, the receptor (or a binding fragment thereof such as h-Syt II a.a. 1-87) is co-expressed as a fusion protein with T25 (referred to as a second fusion protein) in the E. coli of the 2-hybrid assay. The assay utilizes a positive indicator of interaction between the respective molecules via their respective fusions. One possible positive indicator is color development. Clonal E. coli colonies expressing both the first and second fusion proteins are grown on solid media containing the appropriate selective and reporting media (e.g., ampicillin, kanamycin, X-gal, and IPTG) for an amount of time to allow for generation of a positive indication (e.g., color generation) from positive colonies. Binding of the modified binding domain to the receptor fragment will lead to the positive indication (e.g., expression of LacZ gene and result in generation of a blue color in colonies grown on X-gal plates).

The colonies are analyzed for such positive indication (e.g., color development) when compared to appropriate controls (positive and negative). The analyzing can be visually or by a non-human machine. An appropriate negative control that fails to produce appreciable positive indication (e.g., LacZ expression) is used (e.g, a clonal colony lacking a key component of the assay system such as having bait and prey that are expressed without a fusion). An appropriate strong positive control can also be used. One example of a strong positive control for the human Syt II receptor in the assay is a B1-Hc with a substitution mutation at E1191 (M/C/V or Q). A weakly positive control can also be used to identify the strength of the binding. One example of a weakly positive control for human Syt II receptor in the assay is a B1-Hc with a substitution mutation at W1178 (Q/Y/A or S). Identification of the positive indication (e.g., color development) indicates that the modified Hc binds the receptor. Identification of strong positive indication such as strong color development (e.g. above a weakly positive control) indicates the Hc binds the receptor with high affinity.

The modified Hc used in the assay can be any modified Hc disclosed herein. By way of non-limiting example, the modified Hc may contain one, two or three substitution mutations such as those disclosed herein. The modified Hc may be of any serotype/strain or subtype as disclosed herein.

The embodiments described here and in the following examples are for illustrative purposes only, and various modifications or changes apparent to those skilled in the art are included within the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the present application shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, and reagents, etc., described herein and as such may vary. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients or reaction conditions used herein should be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” The term “about” when used to describe the present invention, in connection with percentages means±1%.

In one respect, the present invention relates to the herein described compositions, methods, and respective component(s) thereof, as essential to the invention, yet open to the inclusion of unspecified elements, essential or not (“comprising”). In some embodiments, other elements to be included in the description of the composition, method or respective component thereof are limited to those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the invention (“consisting essentially of”). This applies equally to steps within a described method as well as compositions and components therein. In other embodiments, the inventions, compositions, methods, and respective components thereof, described herein are intended to be exclusive of any element not deemed an essential element to the component, composition or method (“consisting of”).

All patents, patent applications, and publications identified are expressly incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the present invention. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

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Biochem J 444, 59-67 (2012). -   27. Rummel, A., Mahrhold, S., Bigalke, H. & Binz, T. Exchange of the     H(CC) domain mediating double receptor recognition improves the     pharmacodynamic properties of botulinum neurotoxin. FEBS J 278,     4506-4515 (2011). -   28. Kozaki, S., et al. Characterization of Clostridium botulinum     type B neurotoxin associated with infant botulism in japan. Infect     Immun 66, 4811-4816 (1998). -   29. Ihara, H., et al. Sequence of the gene for Clostridium botulinum     type B neurotoxin associated with infant botulism, expression of the     C-terminal half of heavy chain and its binding activity. Biochim     Biophys Acta 1625, 19-26 (2003). -   30. Rummel, A., Mahrhold, S., Bigalke, H. & Binz, T. The HCC-domain     of botulinum neurotoxins A and B exhibits a singular ganglioside     binding site displaying serotype specific carbohydrate interaction.     Mol Microbiol 51, 631-643 (2004). -   31. Chai, Q., et al. Structural basis of cell surface receptor     recognition by botulinum neurotoxin B. Nature 444, 1096-1100 (2006). -   32. Jin, R., Rummel, A., Binz, T. & Brunger, A. T. Botulinum     neurotoxin B recognizes its protein receptor with high affinity and     specificity. Nature 444, 1092-1095 (2006). -   33. Arnon, S. S., et al. Botulinum toxin as a biological weapon:     medical and public health management. Jama 285, 1059-1070 (2001). -   34. Moriishi, K., et al. Mosaic structures of neurotoxins produced     from Clostridium botulinum types C and D organisms. Biochim Biophys     Acta 1307, 123-126 (1996). -   35. Hill, K. K., et al. Genetic diversity among Botulinum     Neurotoxin-producing clostridial strains. JBacteriol 189, 818-832     (2007). -   36. Lalli, G., et al. Functional characterisation of tetanus and     botulinum neurotoxins binding domains. J Cell Sci 112 (Pt 16),     2715-2724 (1999).

The present invention may be as defined in any one of the following numbered paragraphs.

-   1. A botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising:     -   a) a protease domain;     -   b) a protease cleavage site;     -   c) a translocation domain; and     -   d) a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum         serotype B (B-H_(c)), comprising one or more substitution         mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B,         strain 1, selected from the group consisting of:         -   E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H,             W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P and             combinations thereof. -   2. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 1, wherein the modified     (B-H_(c)) comprises one substitution mutation corresponding to a     substitution mutation in serotype B, strain 1, selected from the     group consisting of E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199E, S1199H,     W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, and Y1183P. -   3. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 2, wherein the modified     (B-H_(c)) comprises the substitution mutation corresponding to     E1191C in serotype B, strain 1. -   4. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 2, wherein the modified     (B-H_(c)) comprises the substitution mutation corresponding to     E1191V in serotype B, strain 1. -   5. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 1, wherein the modified     (B-H_(c)) comprises two substitution mutations. -   6. A botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising:     -   a) a protease domain;     -   b) a protease cleavage site;     -   c) a translocation domain; and     -   d) a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum         serotype B (B-H_(c)), comprising two or more substitution         mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in serotype B,         strain 1, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected         from the group consisting of:         -   E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, and E1191Y. -   7. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 6, wherein one other of the     substitution mutations corresponds to S1199W, S1199E, S1199H,     S1199Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, S1199F or     S1199L in serotype B, strain 1. -   8. The BoNT polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 5-7, wherein the     two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W, E1191M     and W1178Q, E1191C and S1199W; E1191C and S1199Y, E1191C and W1178Q,     E1191Q and S1199W, E1191V and S1199W, E1191V and S1199Y, or E1191V     and W1178Q, in serotype B, strain 1. -   9. The BoNT polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the     two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W in     serotype B, strain 1. -   10. The BoNT polypeptide of one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and W1178Q in serotype     B, strain 1. -   11. The BoNT polypeptide of one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199W in serotype     B, strain 1. -   12. The BoNT polypeptide of one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199Y in serotype     B, strain 1. -   13. The BoNT polypeptide of one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and W1178Q in serotype     B, strain 1. -   14. The BoNT polypeptide of one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191Q and S1199W in serotype     B, strain 1. -   15. The BoNT polypeptide of one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199W in serotype     B, strain 1. -   16. The BoNT polypeptide of one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199Y in serotype     B, strain 1. -   17. The BoNT polypeptide of one of paragraphs 5-8, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and W1178Q in serotype     B, strain 1. -   18. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 6, wherein the modified     (B-H_(c)) comprises three substitution mutations. -   19. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 18, wherein the three     substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to E1191,     Y1183 and S1199 or to E1191, S1199 and W1178 of serotype B, strain     1. -   20. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 19, wherein the three     substitution mutations correspond to E1191M, S1199W and W1178Q of     serotype B, strain 1. -   21. A botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising:     -   a) a protease domain;     -   b) a protease cleavage site;     -   c) a translocation domain; and     -   d) a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum         serotype B (B-H_(c)), comprising a substitution mutation at a         position corresponding to S1199 or S1201 of serotype B, strain         1. -   22. The BoNT polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 1-21, wherein the     modified B-H_(c) is of strain 1. -   23. The BoNT polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 1-22 wherein the     protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site     are from serotype selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D,     E, F, G, and combinations thereof. -   24. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 23, wherein the protease     domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from     serotype B, strain 1. -   25. The BoNT polypeptide of paragraph 23, wherein the protease     domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from     serotype A, strain 1. -   26. A polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of     Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)) comprising one or more     substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in     serotype B, strain 1, selected from the group consisting of:     -   E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, W1178Y,         W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P and combinations thereof. -   27. The polypeptide of paragraph 26, wherein the modified (B-H_(c))     comprises two substitution mutations. -   28. A polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of     Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)) comprising two or more     substitution mutations corresponding to substitution mutations in     serotype B, strain 1, wherein one of the substitution mutations is     selected from the group consisting of E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C,     E1191V, E1191L, and E1191Y. -   29. The polypeptide of paragraph 26, wherein one of the substitution     mutations corresponds to S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199Y, W1178Y,     W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, S1199F or S1199L in serotype     B, strain 1. -   30. The polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 27-29, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W, E1191M and     W1178Q, E1191C and S1199W; E1191C and S1199Y, E1191C and W1178Q,     E1191Q and S1199W, E1191V and S1199W, E1191V and S1199Y, or E1191V     and W1178Q, in serotype B, strain 1. -   31. The polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W in serotype     B, strain 1. -   32. The polypeptide of one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and W1178Q in serotype     B, strain 1. -   33. The polypeptide of one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199W in serotype     B, strain 1. -   34. The polypeptide of one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199Y in serotype     B, strain 1. -   35. The polypeptide of one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and W1178Q in serotype     B, strain 1. -   36. The polypeptide of one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191Q and S1199W in serotype     B, strain 1. -   37. The polypeptide of one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199W in serotype     B, strain 1. -   38. The polypeptide of one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199Y in serotype     B, strain 1. -   39. The polypeptide of one of paragraphs 27-30, wherein the two     substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and W1178Q in serotype     B, strain 1. -   40. The polypeptide of paragraph 30, wherein the modified (B-H_(c))     comprises three substitution mutations. -   41. The polypeptide of paragraph 40, wherein the three substitution     mutations are at positions that correspond to E1191, Y1183 and S1199     or to E1191, S1199 and W1178 of serotype B, strain 1. -   42. The polypeptide of paragraph 41, wherein the three substitution     mutations correspond to E1191M, S1199W and W1178Q of serotype B,     strain 1. -   43. The polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 26-42, wherein the     modified B-H_(c) is of strain 1. -   44. A chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a     modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B     (B-H_(c)) linked to a second portion, wherein the modified B-H_(c)     comprises one or more substitution mutations selected from the group     consisting of:     -   E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y, S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, W1178Y,         W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P and combinations thereof. -   45. The chimeric molecule of paragraph 44, wherein the modified     B-H_(c) comprises two substitution mutations. -   46. A chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a     modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B     (B-H_(c)) linked to a second portion, wherein the modified B-H_(c)     comprises two or more substitution mutations corresponding to     substitution mutations in serotype B, strain 1, wherein one of the     substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of:     -   E1191Q, E1191M, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, and E1191Y. -   47. The chimeric molecule of paragraph 46, wherein one of the     substitution mutations corresponds to S1199W, S1199E, S1199H,     S1199Y, W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P, S1199F or     S1199L in serotype B, strain 1. -   48. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W,     E1191M and W1178Q, E1191C and S1199W; E1191C and S1199Y, E1191C and     W1178Q, E1191Q and S1199W, E1191V and S1199W, E1191V and S1199Y, or     E1191V and W1178Q, in serotype B, strain 1. -   49. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and S1199W in     serotype B, strain 1. -   50. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191M and W1178Q in     serotype B, strain 1. -   51. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199W in     serotype B, strain 1. -   52. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and S1199Y in     serotype B, strain 1. -   53. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191C and W1178Q in     serotype B, strain 1. -   54. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191Q and S1199W in     serotype B, strain 1. -   55. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199W in     serotype B, strain 1. -   56. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and S1199Y in     serotype B, strain 1. -   57. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 45-47, wherein     the two substitution mutations correspond to E1191V and W1178Q in     serotype B, strain 1. -   58. The chimeric molecule of one of paragraph 45 or 46, wherein the     modified (B-H_(c)) comprises three substitution mutations. -   59. The chimeric molecule of paragraph 58, wherein the three     substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to E1191,     Y1183 and S1199 or to E1191, S1199 and W1178 of serotype B, strain     1. -   60. The chimeric molecule of paragraph 59, wherein the three     substitution mutations correspond to E1191M, S1199W and W1178Q of     serotype B, strain 1. -   61. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 44-60, wherein     the modified B-H_(c) is of strain 1. -   62. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 44-61, wherein     the first portion and the second portion are linked covalently. -   63. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 46-61, wherein     the first portion and the second portion are linked non-covalently. -   64. The chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 44-61 wherein the     second portion is selected from the group consisting of a small     molecule, a nucleic acid, a short polypeptide and a protein. -   65. The chimeric molecule of paragraph 64, wherein the second     portion is a bioactive molecule. -   66. The chimeric molecule of paragraph 64 or 65, wherein the second     portion is a therapeutic polypeptide or non-polypeptide drug. -   67. The BoNT polypeptide, polypeptide or chimeric molecule of any     one of paragraphs 1-66 that exhibits significantly enhanced binding     of the modified B-H_(c) to human SytII and/or significantly reduced     binding of the modified B-H_(c) to human Syt I as compared to an     identical molecule lacking the substitution mutation(s). -   68. The BoNT polypeptide, polypeptide or chimeric molecule of any     one of paragraphs 1-66 wherein the substitution mutation produces     significantly enhanced binding to human SytII and/or significantly     enhanced binding to human Syt I as compared to an identical molecule     lacking the substitution mutation(s). -   69. A nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the     polypeptide or chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 1-68. -   70. A nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid of paragraph     69. -   71. A cell comprising the nucleic acid vector of paragraph 70 or the     nucleic acid of paragraph 69. -   72. A cell expressing the polypeptide or chimeric molecule of any     one of paragraphs 1-68 -   73. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the botulinum neurotoxin     (BoNT) polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 1-25, 67 or 68, or the     chimeric molecule of any one of paragraphs 44-66, or the nucleic     acid vector of paragraph 70 or the nucleic acid of paragraph 69. -   74. The pharmaceutical composition of paragraph 73, further     comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. -   75. A kit comprising a pharmaceutical composition of paragraph 73 or     74 and directions for therapeutic administration of the     pharmaceutical composition. -   76. A method to produce a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide,     the method comprising the steps of culturing the cell of paragraph     72 under conditions wherein said BoNT polypeptide is produced. -   77. The method of paragraph 76 further comprising one or more of the     following steps:     -   recovering the BoNT polypeptide from the culture,     -   purifying the BoNT polypeptide,     -   activating the BoNT polypeptide, and/or     -   formulating the BoNT polypeptide. -   78. A method for treating a condition associated with unwanted     neuronal activity comprising administering a therapeutically     effective amount of the BoNT polypeptide of any one of paragraphs     1-25, 67 or 68 to a subject to thereby contact one or more neurons     exhibiting unwanted neuronal activity, to thereby treat the     condition. -   79. The method of paragraph 78, wherein the condition is selected     from the group consisting of, spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic     torticollis, laryngeal dystonia, oromandibular dysphonia, lingual     dystonia, cervical dystonia, focal hand dystonia, blepharospasm,     strabismus, hemifacial spasm, eyelid disorder, cerebral palsy, focal     spasticity and other voice disorders, spasmodic colitis, neurogenic     bladder, anismus, limb spasticity, tics, tremors, bruxism, anal     fissure, achalasia, dysphagia and other muscle tone disorders and     other disorders characterized by involuntary movements of muscle     groups, lacrimation, hyperhydrosis, excessive salivation, excessive     gastrointestinal secretions, secretory disorders, pain from muscle     spasms, headache pain, migraine, and dermatological or     aesthetic/cosmetic conditions. -   80. The botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide of any one of     paragraphs 1-25, 67 or 68, the pharmaceutical composition of one of     paragraphs 73 or 74 or the chimeric molecule of any one of     paragraphs 44-66, or the polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 26-43,     for use in medicine. -   81. The botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide of any one of     paragraphs 1-25, 67 or 68, the pharmaceutical composition of one of     paragraphs 73 or 74, or the chimeric molecule of any one of     paragraphs 44-66, or the polypeptide of any one of paragraphs 67-43,     for use in treating a condition associated with unwanted neuronal     activity. -   82. A method for identifying a modified receptor binding domain of     botulinum neurotoxin for binding to a receptor comprising;     -   a) expressing the modified receptor binding domain as a first         fusion protein with T18 subunit of bacterial adenylate cyclase         in a 2-hybrid assay, and expressing the receptor as a second         fusion protein with T25 subunit of bacterial adenylate cyclase         in the 2-hybrid assay;     -   b) analyzing a clonal E. coli colony that expresses both the         first and second fusion protein for the presence of a positive         indication above a negative control; and     -   c) identifying the modified receptor binding domain expressed by         the colony exhibiting the positive indication as binding to the         receptor. -   83. The method of paragraph 82 wherein the positive indication is     color development. -   84. The method of any one of paragraphs 82-83, further comprising     the step of analyzing the colony for the positive indication against     a weakly positive control, and further identifying the modified     receptor binding domain expressed by the colony exhibiting above the     weakly positive control as binding to the receptor with high     affinity. -   85. The method of paragraph 82-84 that is performed with a library     of modified receptor binding domains each expressed within     respective colonies. -   86. The method of any one of paragraphs 82-85 wherein the receptor     is human. -   87. The method of any one of paragraphs 82-86 wherein the modified     receptor binding domain comprises one or more substitution     mutations, wherein one of the substitution mutations corresponds to     a mutation in serotype B, strain 1, selected from the group     consisting of: E1191M, E1191 Q, E1191C, E1191V, E1191L, E1191Y,     S1199W, S1199E, S1199H, S1199F, S1199L W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A,     W1178S, Y1183C, Y1183P and S1199Y.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which should not be construed as further limiting.

EXAMPLES

Identification of Single Mutations that Enhance BoNT/B Binding to h-Syt II

The co-crystal structure of BoNT/B bound to rat Syt II luminal domain has been solved by two studies in 2006^(25,26). The structural information provided a sound basis for us to focus on limited numbers of residues within the binding interface for rational design mutagenesis studies. The conserved phenylalanine at position 54 forms multiple hydrophobic contacts with BoNT/B. Because leucine (in humans) is also hydrophobic, disruption of BoNT/B binding is likely due to size/shape differences between phenylalanine and leucine. The key was to identify possible changes in BoNT/B H_(C) region that may accommodate the change from phenylalanine to leucine.

All residues in BoNT/B that contribute to interactions between BoNT/B and Syt II were examined. These residues were well-defined by the BoNT/B-Syt II co-crystal structure, including K1113, D1115, S1116, P1117, V1118, W1178, Y1181, Y1183, E1191, K1192, F1194, A1196, P1197, S1199, S1201, E1203, F1204, E1245, and Y1256 (FIG. 3), a total of 19 positions. The strategy was to first systematically replace the residues at each of these 19 positions with all other 19 possible amino acids and then test binding of these mutated BoNT/B-H_(C) to h-Syt II. Therefore, a total of 19×19=361 single point mutations needed to be generated and tested.

A bacterial adenylate cyclase two hybrid system (BACTH) was used to generate these 361 mutations and test their binding to h-Syt II as described in FIG. 4. Briefly, wild type (WT) BoNT/B-H_(C) was subcloned into a vector in frame with the split fragment (T18) of the bacterial adenylate cyclase. This T18-BoNT/B-H_(C) fusion construct was amplified by PCR with primers harboring random tri-nucleotides (NNN) at the selected position in BoNT/B-H_(C) (FIG. 4A). This generated a pool of constructs that encode all 20 different amino acids at the select site. This pool of constructs were then co-transformed into bacteria (E. coli strain BTH101), together with a construct that expresses h-Syt II (1-87) fused with the other half of the split bacterial adenylate cyclase (T25). Binding of a mutant BoNT/B-H_(C) to h-Syt II brought T18 and T25 together and recovered the activity of adenylate cyclase, which lead to expression of lacZ gene and results in blue colonies on X-gel plates (FIG. 4B). The specific mutations introduced into BoNT/B-H_(C) were identified by extracting and sequencing the constructs from these blue colonies.

Using this BACTH method, all 19 selected sites were screened in BoNT/B-H_(C). The numbers of total colonies and blue colonies for each site are listed in FIG. 5A. Greater than 380 total colonies were counted for each position. The total colony number determined the possibility of covering all 20 amino acids at the selected mutation site. This was calculated by Clark-Carbon equation: P=1−(1−f)^(N), where f reflects the number of possible residues (f=1/20 here as there are 20 different amino acids), and N is the total number of colonies. With a minimal number of 380 colonies, the probability of covering all 20 amino acids at a position is 99.8%. Therefore, it is likely that all 20 possible residues were covered once the number of colonies on the plates was over 380.

As shown in FIG. 5A, four positions were found to result in blue colonies, including E1191 (22.7%), W11178 (7.8%), Y1183 (4.0%), and S1199 (5.1%). Among these four positions, E1191 had the highest levels of blue colonies. In addition, the blue colonies from E1191 also showed deeper blue color as compared to the other three sites, which suggested that the interaction between BoNT/B-H_(C) and h-Syt II could be stronger with E1191 mutations. Plasmids were extracted and sequenced from these blue colonies. The identified residues at each site are listed in FIG. 5B: E1191M/C/V/Q/L/Y, Y1183/C/P, S1199W/E/Y/H, W1178Y/Q/A/S.

The interactions between human Syt II and those identified mutants were further verified by measuring the levels of β-galactosidase produced in bacteria, which was proportional to the total level of adenylate cyclase activity reconstituted by interactions between T18-BoNT/B-H_(C) and T25-h-Syt II. Four mutations at E1191 sites, E1191M/C/V/Q, showed the strongest β-galactosidase activity among all mutations tested (FIG. 6A), suggesting that replacing E1191 with one of these four residues significantly enhanced binding of T18-BoNT/B-H_(C) to T25-h-Syt II.

Binding of mutant BoNT/B-H_(c) to h-Syt II was further analyzed using pull-down assay as an alternative approach (FIG. 6B). Briefly, GST-tagged mouse Syt II luminal domain (m-Syt II) and human Syt II luminal domain (h-Syt II) were immobilized on GST beads and were used to pull down mutant BoNT/B-H_(C) expressed in bacteria. Binding of BoNT/B-H_(C) to GST-tagged Syt II was detected via immunoblot analysis, detecting the HA tag fused to BoNT/B-H_(C). As shown in FIG. 6B, E1191M/C/V/Q resulted in significant levels of binding to h-Syt II, which was consistent with the finding that these four mutations also displayed the strongest β-galactosidase activity (FIG. 6A). Together, these results indicated that E1191M/C/V/Q are four primary mutations that gain the ability to bind h-Syt II robustly.

Combinational Mutations in HCB Further Enhanced its Binding to h-Syt II

Whether binding of BoNT/B-H_(C) E1191M/C/V/Q to h-Syt II can be further enhanced by including a secondary mutation at a different site was then explored. The 1183, 1199, and 1178 sites were focused on as the candidates for the secondary mutation sites, as these are the only three sites that also resulted in blue colonies (FIG. 5). Using E1191M as the primary mutations, double mutations were generated combining E1191M with all other 10 residue changes identified in BACTH screening at 1183, 1199, and 1178 sites as indicated in FIG. 5B. These 10 double mutations were analyzed for their ability to bind h-Syt II in pull-down assays as indicated in FIG. 7A. Three of them, E1191M/S1199W, E1191M/S1199Y, and E1191M/W1178Q, resulted in significant binding to h-Syt II (FIG. 7A). These results suggested that including S1199W/Y and W1178Q as the secondary mutation site would further enhance binding of BoNT/B-H_(C) E1191M/C/V/Q to h-Syt II. Together, these data indicated that there are four choices of primary mutation at E1191 site (M/C/V/Q) and three choice of secondary mutation sites (S1199W/Y and W1178Q) (FIG. 7B), and a combination of a primary mutation with a secondary mutation can further enhance binding to h-Syt II.

Combining E1191M with Y1183C/P actually reduced binding to h-Syt II (FIG. 7A). The Syt II binding interface of BoNT/B is composed of two hydrophobic pouches as previously reported. E1191 and Y1183 are located in the same pouch, while S1199 and W1178 are located in another. Because E1191 is spatially close to Y1183, a potential structural conflict may occur when mutating both of them, which may explain why double mutations at these two positions reduced binding to h-Syt II.

Determination and comparison of binding affinities between mutated BoNT/B-H_(C) to h-Syt II quantitatively was pursued, aiming to select the double mutations with the best binding affinity. The binding affinity (K_(D)) was determined using a well-established bio-layer interferometry assay (FIG. 8A). Briefly, GST tagged Syt proteins were immobilized onto a probe. The probe was first exposed to purified BoNT/B-H_(C) at different concentrations (association phase, FIG. 8A), followed by washing steps (dissociation phase, FIG. 8A). Binding of BoNT/B-H_(C) to GST tagged Syt increases the total molecular weight/size on the probe, which results in a shift in light reflection at the probe that can be detected and analyzed. Binding parameters such as association constant (K_(on)), dissociation constant (K_(off)), and apparent binding affinity (K_(D)) can be calculated from the association and dissociation curve detected as indicated in FIG. 8A.

Using this assay, all combinations of four primary mutations (E1191M/C/Q/V) were systematically characterized with three secondary mutations (S1199W/Y, W1178Q). In addition, a triple mutation, E1191M/S1199W/W1178Q, was also generated and analyzed. Binding of WT BoNT/B-H_(C) to mouse Syt II (m-Syt II) was measured as a positive control, which showed a binding K_(D) at 0.13 μM (FIG. 8B). As expected, binding of WT BoNT/B-H_(C) to h-Syt II was too weak to be reliably determined, with an estimated K_(D) over the detection limit (>20 μM). A single primary mutation E1191M yielded a binding K_(D) at 6.7 μM, a significant improvement over WT BoNT/B-H_(C). Double mutations that combined a primary mutation site with a secondary mutation sites further improved the binding affinity to as high as 0.59 μM (E1191V/S1199Y). As expected, the majority of double mutations improved the binding affinity to h-Syt II, with K_(D) between 0.59 μM to 4.3 μM. E1191Q/W1178Q was the only one that did not bind to h-Syt II. The reason is not known, but it is possible that this double mutation may have induced unexpected conformational changes of the protein. The triple mutation E1191M/S1199W/W1178Q showed almost the same binding affinity as the double mutation E1191M/S1199W, suggesting that adding the third mutation site may not further improve the binding affinity. Together, these data confirmed that all double mutations between E1191M/C/Q/V and S1199W/Y, W1178Q, with the exception of E11191Q/W1178Q, resulted in mutant BoNT/B-H_(C) that can bind to h-Syt II robustly.

HCB Mutants Showed Enhanced Binding to h-Syt I

In addition to Syt II, Syt I also functions as a receptor for BoNT/B. In order to achieve the highest possible binding to human neurons, the modified BoNT/B mutants should not affect binding to human Syt I. Ideally, they may even increase binding to Syt I. Indeed, it was found that E1191M significantly enhanced binding of BoNT/B-H_(C) to h-Syt I, as robust binding could be detected without the presence of the lipid co-receptor gangliosides (FIG. 9A). The binding affinity between selected double mutations and h-Syt I was measured using bio-layer interferometry assay. As shown in FIG. 9B, C, double mutations E1191M/S1199Y (B-H_(C) MY) and E1191V/S1199Y (B-H_(C) VY) displayed K_(D) at 2.9 μM and 5.82 μM, respectively, whereas the WT BoNT/B-H_(C) binding to h-Syt I was too weak to be reliably determined, with estimated K_(D) over the detection limit (>20 μM).

H_(C)B_(MY) Binds to h-Syt II on Neuronal Surfaces

We next examined whether H_(C)B_(MY) mutant may bind to h-Syt II on physiologically relevant neuronal surfaces. To this end, we utilized cultured rat cortical neurons as a neuron model, which expresses Syt I but not Syt II (Dong et al, The Journal of cell biology 179(7):1511-1522 (2007)). Thus, knocking down Syt I generated neurons with no endogenous receptors. Expressing full-length h-Syt II in these Syt I KD neurons created “humanized” neurons with only h-Syt II as the toxin receptor as we previously described (Peng et al., J Cell Sci. 125: 3233-42(2012)). As expected, WT H_(c)B bound strongly to rat neurons and the binding was abolished after knocking down endogenous Syt I. Expression of full-length m-Syt II, but not h-Syt II nor a m-Syt II containing F54L mutation, restored binding of WT H_(C)B (FIG. 10A). In contrast, H_(C)B_(MY) showed robust binding to neurons that express m-Syt II, h-Syt II, or m-Syt II (F54L), demonstrating that H_(C)B_(MY) gain the enhanced ability to bind h-Syt II on neuronal surfaces (FIG. 10B).

BoNT/B Mutant Displayed Enhanced Efficacy to Block Neurotransmission in Humanized Neurons

To address key question whether enhanced binding to h-Syt II translates to improved efficacy at functional levels in neurons, we produced full-length WT BoNT/B and the mutant toxin containing E1191M/S1199Y point mutations (BoNT/B_(MY)) recombinantly in E. coli. Humanized neurons were exposed to a gradient of WT or BoNT/B_(MY) toxins. Cleavage of VAMP2 was examined by immunoblotting analysis. As shown in FIG. 11A, more VAMP2 was cleaved in neurons exposed to BoNT/B_(MY) compared to neurons exposed to WT BoNT/B at each toxin concentration tested, indicating that BoNT/B_(MY) targeted and entered neurons more efficiently than WT toxin.

We next monitored neurotransmitter release by recording miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. The frequency of mIPSCs reflects the activity of neurotransmitter release in a population of neurons. Entry of BoNT/B into presynaptic terminals blocks release of neurotransmitter, thus reducing frequency of mIPSCs (FIG. 11B). Humanized neurons were exposed to a gradient of WT BoNT/B or BoNT/B_(MY). As shown in FIG. 11C, BoNT/B_(MY) showed a greatly enhanced potency, with a half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀)˜11-fold lower than WT toxin: BoNT/B_(MY) can achieve the same level of blockage on neurotransmitter release with 11-fold lower toxin concentrations compared to WT toxin. These data demonstrated that enhanced binding to human receptors resulted in increased efficacy of toxin at functional levels in neurons.

The BACTH method was used to screen all possible single mutations at all 19 key residues in BoNT/B-H_(C) that form the binding pocket for Syt II. Four positions were identified that can be mutated to increase the binding affinity to h-Syt II, with E1191 site as the primary site, and S1199, W1178, and Y1183 as the secondary mutation sites. Double mutations combining the primary and secondary mutation sites, were created and tested, and showed that combining E1191M/C/V/Q with S1199Y/W or W1178Q yield double mutations with strong binding affinity to h-Syt II and h-Syt I.

DISCUSSION

By combining rationale design based on available co-crystal structure of the BoNT/B-Syt II complex with the BACTH method that saturates all possible single point mutations at each of the selected target residues, a series of point mutations in BoNT/B was identified that can bind to h-Syt II. These point mutations were further examined in combinations, revealing double mutants that gained high-affinity binding to h-Syt II. Importantly, full-length BoNT/B containing the designed mutation showed ˜11-fold higher potency than WT BoNT/B on humanized neurons, demonstrating that enhanced binding to toxin receptors translates to higher potency at functional levels in neurons.

Materials and Methods

Materials and constructs. The following antibodies were purchased from indicated vendors: Synapsin I (Clone 46.1, Synaptic Systems), VAMP2 (Clone 69.1, Synaptic Systems), HA (16B12, Covance), and β-tubulin III (ab18207, Abcam). Bovine mixed brain gangliosides were purchased from Matreya LLC (Pleasant Gap, Pa.) and were reconstituted in Tris-buffered saline (TBS: 20 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl) as previously described (Peng et al., PLoS pathogens 7(3):e1002008(2011)). The cDNA encoding H_(C)B (residue 857-1291, Genbank: ACA46990.1) was codon optimized for E. coli expression and synthesized by Genscript Inc. (New Brunswick, N.J.). The following cDNAs were generously provided by indicated groups: rat Syt I (T. C. Sudhof, Palo Alto, Calif.), mouse Syt II (M. Fukuda, Ibaraki, Japan), human Syt I (R. B. Sutton, Lubbock, Tex.). DNA encoding H_(C)B was subcloned into pET28a vector, with both a His6 tag and a HA tag (YPYDVPDYA (SEQ ID NO: 12)) fused to its N-terminus. Mutations in H_(C)B were generated via PCR using Site-directed Mutagenesis Kit (Agilent Technologies, CA). GST tagged Syt I/II fragments and Syt II F54L mutant were described previously (Dong M, et al. The Journal of cell biology 162(7):1293-1303(2003); Peng et al., J Cell Sci. 125: 3233-42 (2012); Dong M, et al. Science 312(5773):592-596 (2006)).

BACTH (bacterial adenylate cyclase two-hybrid assay): The BACTH assay was performed according to the manufacturer's instruction (Euromedex). Two compatible plasmids, pUT18C and pKT25 were selected for the screen. H-Syt II luminal domain (residues 1-80) was cloned into pKT25 to generate pKT25-h-Syt II. HCB was cloned in pUT18C for producing T18-HCB. HCB mutant libraries were created with primers containing random nucleotide triplets (NNN) at designated positions. Each library was co-transformed with the pKT25-h-Syt II plasmid into E. coli indicator strain BTH101 by electroporation and screened on LB agar plates containing 100 μg/ml Ampicillin, 50 μg/ml Kanamycin, 0.5 mM IPTG, and 40 μg/ml X-Gal. The plates were incubated at 30° C. for 64 hours. Plasmids were extracted from blue colonies and sequenced. The total colony number determined the possibility of covering all 20 amino acids at the selected mutation site. This was calculated by Clark-Carbon equation: P=1−(1−f)^(N), where f reflects the number of possible residues (f=1/20 here as there are 20 different amino acids), and N is the total number of colonies. With a minimal number of 380 colonies in the assays, the probability of covering all 20 amino acids at each position is >99.8%.

β-Galactosidase assay: E. coli BTH101 cells with expressed proteins of interest were inoculated into liquid LB medium containing ampicillin, kanamycin, and IPTG (0.5 mM). The culture was grown overnight at 37° C. to reach the stationary phase. The OD₆₀₀ of the culture grown overnight was recorded before harvesting. One milliliter of the culture grown overnight was centrifuged, and cell pellets were washed twice with PBS and suspended in an equal volume of Z buffer (60 mM Na2HPO4, 40 mM Na₂HPO₄, 10 mM KCl, 1 mM MgSO₄, and 20 mM dithiothreitol [DTT]). One hundred microliters of resuspended bacterial cells was diluted in 1 ml of Z buffer (dilution factor [DF]=10). Afterwards, 100 ml of chloroform and 50 ml of 0.1% SDS were added and mixed well to permeabilize the cells. Two hundred fifty microliters of the mixture was then transferred into a new Microfuge tube and brought to 28° C., 50 ml of pre-warmed o-nitrophenyl-β-galactoside (4 mg/ml in Z buffer) was added, and the mixture was incubated at 28° C. until a yellow color developed. The reaction was stopped by addition of 200 ml of 1 M Na₂CO₃. The A₄₂₀ and the precise time period of the reaction in minutes (T) were recorded. β-galactosidase activity was defined as (1000×A₄₂₀×DF)/(T×OD₆₀₀) in Miller units.

Protein expression and purification: WT and mutants of BoNT/B-H_(C) were expressed as His₆ tagged recombinant proteins in E. coli. Syt I/II fragments and mutants were expressed as GST tagged recombinant proteins in E. coli. Both GST-fusion and His₆-fusion proteins were purified as previously described 9, with the induction temperature at 20° C. overnight with 0.25 mM IPTG.

GST pull-down assays: Two types of pull-down assays were carried out. The first series were used to screen binding of mutant BoNT/B-H_(C) to GST-tagged mouse Syt II (m-Syt II) and a mutant mouse Syt II (F54L) that mimicking human Syt II sequence (designated as h-Syt II). Briefly, 6 ml of E. coli expressing BoNT/B H_(C) were spin down, re-suspended in 800 μl TBS, sonicated, and then incubated with 2% Triton X-100 for 1 hr at 4° C. Samples were then spun down at maximal speed for 15 min in a microcentrifuge at 4° C. The supernatants were collected and were used for pull-down assays by incubating with 10 μg of Syt proteins immobilized on glutathione-Sepharose beads (GE bioscience, Piscataway, N.J.) at 4° C. for 1 hr. Samples were washed three times in washing buffer (TBS with 0.5% Triton X-100), and analyzed by immunoblotting BoNT/B-H_(C) using the anti-HA antibody. For mutants with enhanced binding to h-Syt II, further pull-down assays were carried out by purifying these BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants as His6 tagged proteins as described previously⁹. Pull-down assays were then carried out using immobilized Syt fragments in 100 μl TBS buffer plus 0.5% Triton X-100, with or without gangliosides (60 μg/ml), for 1 hr at 4° C. Beads were washed three times using TBS buffer plus 0.5% Triton X-100. Ten percent of bound materials were subjected to SDS-PAGE followed immunoblot analysis.

Biolayer interferometry assay. The binding affinities between H_(C)B variants and Syt I/Syt II were measured by BLI assay with the Blitz system (ForteBio). Briefly, the GST-tagged Syt I or Syt II (20 μg/ml) were immobilized onto Dip and Read™ Anti-GST Biosensors (ForteBio) and balanced with PBS buffer. The biosensors were then exposed to series concentrations of H_(C)B, followed by washing with PBS. Binding affinities (K_(D)) were calculated using the Blitz system software following manufacture's instruction (ForteBio).

Neuron culture, lentivirus, and toxin binding/entry assay. Rat cortical neurons were prepared from E18-19 embryos as described previously (Peng et al. PLoS pathogens 7(3):e1002008 (2011)). Constructs for Syt I KD, mSyt II, and h-Syt II expression in neurons was previously described (Peng et al., J Cell Sci. 125: 3233-42(2012)). Lentiviruses were added to neuron cultures at DIV5 (days in vitro), and toxin binding/entry experiments were carried out on DIV12-14. Toxins were diluted in high K⁺ buffer (87 mM NaCl, 56 mM KCl, 1.5 mM KH₂PO₄, 8 mM Na₂HPO₄, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, and 1 mM CaCl) and pre-warmed to 37° C. Neurons were exposed to above toxin-containing buffers for 5 minutes at 37° C. followed by washing with PBS. These neurons were either subjected to immunostaining analysis, or incubated in toxin-free medium for additional 24 hours, followed by immunoblotting analysis.

mIPSC recording. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from DIV 14-18 cultured cortical neurons (DIV 14-18). The pipette solution contained (in mM): 135 CsCl, 10 HEPES, 1 EGTA, 1 Na-GTP, 4 Mg-ATP and 10 QX-314 (pH 7.4, adjusted with CsOH). The resistance of pipettes filled with intracellular solution varied between 4 and 5 MO. After formation of the whole-cell configuration and equilibration of the intracellular pipette solution, the series resistance was adjusted to 10 MO. Synaptic currents were monitored with an EPC-10/2 amplifier (HEKA) at −70 mV holding potential. The bath solution contained (in mM): 140 NaCl, 5 KCl, 2 CaCl, 1 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, 10 glucose (pH 7.4, adjusted with NaOH). Spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) and evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) were pharmacologically inhibited by adding AMPA and NMDA receptor blockers CNQX and APV to the extracellular bath solution. Spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were monitored in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) to block action potentials. Data were analyzed using Clampfit 10 (Molecular Devices), Origin8 software (Mocrocal Inc.), MiniAnalysis software (Synaptosoft), and Igor (Wavemetrics). Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t-test (*P<0.01). All data shown are means S.E.M.s.

CONCLUSION

The above-presented results indicate new methods and compositions to improve binding of BoNT/B to its human receptors, and provide a way to create new generations of therapeutic BoNTs, by utilizing the modified receptor binding domain created in the present invention, with improved efficacy and specificity to target human neurons than the currently utilized WT BoNTs.

These efforts show that modifying the protein sequence of BoNT/B-H_(C) can create new versions that can bind human Syt II with high-affinity. Modification of the BoNT/B-H_(C) protein sequence can be performed by either targeted mutagenesis (site-directed mutagenesis) or random mutagenesis of each amino acid residue within the region known for binding Syt I/II. These Syt binding regions are well defined by previous co-crystal structural studies^(25,26). For instance, it composes of residues 1078-1291 in BoNT/B1 sequence (GenBank access No.: P10844). Although these studies were performed using BoNT/B1 sequence, all subtypes of BoNT/B can be used as the template to re-create the same or similar mutations as described here. Although the exact position for selected residues may not be identical in different BoNT/B subtypes, the analogous residues in the different BoNT/B subtypes can be easily identified (e.g., by sequence alignment when not at exactly the same position).

Specifically studied were all residues in the Syt II binding interface of BoNT/B based on reported BoNT/B-Syt II complex structure (PDB ID: 2NM1), including K1113, D1115, S1116, P1117, V1118, W1178, Y1181, Y1183, E1191, K1192, F1194, A1196, P1197, S1199, S1201, E1203, F1204, E1245, and Y1256, as listed in FIG. 3B.

Mutagenesis is a common laboratory technique to create engineered protein products. Several methods to introduce mutations, including site-directed mutagenesis, random mutagenesis, combinatorial mutagenesis, and insertional mutagenesis, are available. Site-directed mutagenesis and random mutagenesis were applied to introduce mutations into BoNT/B-H_(C) sequence. Random mutagenesis is a powerful tool to create mutant libraries for screening. By using PCR primers with doped nucleotides, a pool of mutants was created containing substitutions to all other 19 amino acids at the positions listed in FIG. 3B. The screening was then performed using BACTH system as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Residues at position 1191, 1178, 1183, and 1199 were identified as important for substitution mutations to generate BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants with enhanced binding to human Syt II. The specific substitutions were E1191M/C/V/Q/L/Y, Y1183C/P, S1199Y/W/E/H, W1178Y/Q/A/S (FIG. 5A, B).

Further quantitative assays revealed that changing residue E1991 to M/C/V/Q resulted in the strongest binding to h-Syt II, as measured by β-galactosidase activity (FIG. 6A) and pull-down assays (FIG. 6B). Therefore, E1191 was identified as the primary site to introduce mutations that enhance binding to h-Syt II, and substitution mutations of E1191/M/C/V/Q were identified as the primary mutations.

E1191M was used as the primary mutation to explore whether adding a secondary mutation can further enhance binding to h-Syt II (FIG. 7A). Because Y1183C/P, S1199Y/W/E/H, and W1178Y/Q/A/S substitution mutations resulted in “light blue” colonies in BACTH screening (FIG. 5B), these sites were selected as the potential secondary mutation site. Double mutations combining E1191M with these potential secondary mutations were generated and tested. Three mutations, S1199W, S1199Y, and W1178Q were found to enhance binding to h-Syt II, when combined with the primary mutation at E1191M in pull-down assays (FIG. 7A, B). These three substitution mutations were selected as secondary mutations.

Further quantitative assays were carried out to determine the binding affinity between BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants and h-Syt II, using bio-layer interferometry assay as described in FIG. 8A. Double mutations, with one from primary mutations (M1191M/C/Q/V) and the other from secondary mutations (S1199W/Y, W1178Q), were measured for their binding affinities to h-Syt II (FIG. 8B). The results showed that the following double mutations: E1191M/C/Q/V combined with S1199W/Y, and E1191M/C/V combined with W1178Q have significantly enhanced binding affinities for h-Syt II (FIG. 8B). These eleven double combinations were thus identified as mutations in BoNT/B-H_(C) that enhance binding to h-Syt II the most.

Engineered BoNT/B-H_(C) mutants were found not only enhance binding to human Syt II, but also to human Syt I. E1191M/S1199Y and E1191V/S1199Y were used to show that these mutants displayed significantly enhanced binding abilities to human Syt I as well as compared to WT BoNT/B-H_(C) (FIG. 9).

The modified BoNT/B-H_(c) mutants may contain amino acids substitutions at one or combinations of the amino acid residues E1191, Y1183, W1178 and S1199 such as E1191M/S1199W, E1191M/S1199Y, E1191M/W1178Q, E1191C/S1199W, E1191C/S1199Y, E1191C/W1178Q, E1191Q/S1199W, E1191Q/S1199Y, E1191V/S1199W, E1191V/S1199Y, and E1191V/W1178Q.

Selected triple mutations by combining mutations at E1191/S1199/W1178 sites were also tested and found to have similar binding affinity as the double mutation at E1191/S1199 sites. For instance, E1191M/S1199W/W1178Q has a similar binding affinity as E1191M/S1199W (FIG. 8B). Therefore, triple mutations exhibited the enhanced binding affinity of the double mutations, although they did not seem to offer significant advantage over double mutations with respect to increased binding affinity.

These results indicate that polypeptides containing BoNT/B-H_(C) with modified amino acid sequence related to the sequence of WT BoNT/B-H_(C), wherein the modified BoNT/B-H_(C) has improved ability to bind human Syt I and II as compared to WT BoNT/B-H_(C) can be made and used therapeutically. The polypeptides may be, for example, in the form of full-length BoNT/B mutants, truncated BoNT/B mutants or recombined proteins that contain the same amino acid substitutions within the receptor binding domain (BoNT/B-H_(C)), as described above, and also, BoNT/B subtypes with amino acid substitutions at according positions. In addition, BoNT/B subtype can be modified to bind h-Syt II by replacing the residues within their receptor binding domain that are different from BoNT/B1.

The full-length BoNT/B mutants encompassed contain amino acids substitutions at one or combinations (e.g., 2 or 3) of the amino acid residues E1191, Y1183, W1178 and S1199 such as E1191M/1199W, E1191M/1199Y, E1191M/W178Q, E1191C/S1199W, E1191C/S1199Y, E1191C/W1178Q, E1191Q/S1199W, E1191Q/S1199Y, E1191V/S1199W, E1191V/S1199Y, and E1191V/W1178Q. The mutations can be made in the same manner as disclosed above for BoNT/B-H_(C), using any one of BoNT/B subtypes as templates. These mutated BoNT/B toxins gain enhanced binding to both human Syt II and human Syt I, therefore will achieve higher efficacy and specificity to target human neurons than WT BoNT/B.

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1-87. (canceled)
 88. A nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of Clostridial botulinum serotype B (B-Hc), wherein the modified receptor binding domain comprises one or more amino acid substitutions relative to a reference wild type receptor binding domain of a C. botulinum serotype B, strain 1, which one or more amino acid substitutions are at positions selected from the group consisting of E1191, S1199, W1178, Y1183, and combinations thereof, wherein: substitution at position 1191 is selected from the group consisting of E1191C, E1191V, E1191Y, E1191S, E1191A, and E1191N; substitution at position 1199 is selected from the group consisting of S1199W, S1199E, and S1199H; substitution at position 1178 is selected from the group consisting of W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, and W1178S; and substitution at position 1183 is selected from the group consisting of Y1183C, and Y1183P, and wherein the polypeptide is characterized by enhanced binding to human Syt II as compared to that observed with the reference wild type receptor binding domain.
 89. The nucleic acid of claim 88, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that: i) the modified receptor binding domain possesses 95% or more amino acid sequence identity to the reference wild type receptor binding domain; ii) the modified receptor binding domain corresponds to residues 1078-1291 of SEQ ID NO: 5 or residues 859-1291 of SEQ ID NO: 5; iii) the modified B-H_(c) is of strain 1; or iv) a combination thereof.
 90. The nucleic acid of claim 88, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) polypeptide comprising: a) a protease domain; b) a protease cleavage site; c) a translocation domain; and d) the modified receptor binding domain of C. botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)).
 91. The nucleic acid of claim 90, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that the protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from serotype selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and combinations thereof.
 92. The nucleic acid claim 91, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that the protease domain, translocation domain, and protease cleavage site are from serotype B, strain 1 or from serotype A, strain
 1. 93. The nucleic acid of claim 88, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises two substitution mutations.
 94. The nucleic acid of claim 93, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that two of the substitution mutations correspond to: E1191M and S1199E; E1191M and S1199H; E1191M and W1178Y; E1191M and W1178A; E1191M and W1178S; E1191M and Y1183C; or E1191M and Y1183P.
 95. The nucleic acid of claim 88, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises two or more substitution mutations, wherein one of the substitution mutations is selected from the group consisting of E1191C, E1191V, and E1191Y.
 96. The nucleic acid of claim 88, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that the modified (B-H_(c)) comprises three substitution mutations.
 97. The nucleic acid of claim 96, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that the three substitution mutations are at positions that correspond to: E1191, Y1183 and S1199; or E1191, S1199 and W1178.
 98. The nucleic acid of claim 96, wherein the polypeptide that it encodes is characterized in that the three substitution mutations are E1191M, S1199W and W1178Q.
 99. A nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a chimeric molecule comprising a first portion that is a modified receptor binding domain of C. botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)) linked to a second portion, wherein the modified receptor binding domain comprises one or more amino acid substitutions relative to a reference wild type receptor binding domain of a C. botulinum serotype B, strain 1, which one or more amino acid substitutions are at positions selected from the group consisting of E1191, S1199, W1178, Y1183, and combinations thereof, wherein: substitution at position 1191 is selected from the group consisting of E1191C, E1191V, E1191Y, E1191S, E1191A, and E1191N; substitution at position 1199 is selected from the group consisting of S1199W, S1199E, and S1199H; substitution at position 1178 is selected from the group consisting of W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, and W1178S; and substitution at position 1183 is selected from the group consisting of Y1183C and Y1183P, and wherein the polypeptide is characterized by enhanced binding to human Syt II as compared to that observed with a reference wild type C. botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)) receptor binding domain.
 100. The nucleic acid of claim 99, wherein the chimeric molecule that it encodes is characterized in that the first portion and the second portion are linked covalently or are linked non-covalently, and wherein the second portion is selected from the group consisting of a small molecule, a nucleic acid, a short polypeptide and a protein.
 101. The nucleic acid of claim 100, wherein the chimeric molecule that it encodes is characterized in that the first portion and the second portion are linked covalently or are linked non-covalently, and wherein the second portion is a bioactive molecule, a therapeutic polypeptide or non-polypeptide drug.
 102. A nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 88. 103. A cell comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 88. 104. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 88. 105. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 104, wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 106. A kit comprising a pharmaceutical composition of claim 104, and directions for therapeutic administration of the pharmaceutical composition.
 107. A method to produce a polypeptide, the method comprising the step of culturing the cell of claim 103 under conditions wherein said polypeptide is produced.
 108. The method of claim 107 further comprising one or more of the following steps: i) recovering the polypeptide from the culture; ii) purifying the polypeptide; iii) activating the polypeptide; iv) formulating the polypeptide; or v) a combination thereof.
 109. A method for treating a condition associated with unwanted neuronal activity comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the nucleic acid of claim 88 to a subject to thereby contact one or more neurons exhibiting unwanted neuronal activity, to thereby treat the condition.
 110. The method of claim 109, wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, laryngeal dystonia, oromandibular dysphonia, lingual dystonia, cervical dystonia, focal hand dystonia, blepharospasm, strabismus, hemifacial spasm, eyelid disorder, cerebral palsy, focal spasticity and other voice disorders, spasmodic colitis, neurogenic bladder, anismus, limb spasticity, tics, tremors, bruxism, anal fissure, achalasia, dysphagia and other muscle tone disorders and other disorders characterized by involuntary movements of muscle groups, lacrimation, hyperhydrosis, excessive salivation, excessive gastrointestinal secretions, secretory disorders, pain from muscle spasms, headache pain, migraine, dermatological conditions, and aesthetic/cosmetic conditions.
 111. A method for identifying a modified receptor binding domain of a C. botulinum neurotoxin for binding to a receptor comprising: a) expressing the modified receptor binding domain as a first fusion protein with T18 subunit of bacterial adenylate cyclase in a 2-hybrid assay, and expressing the receptor as a second fusion protein with T25 subunit of bacterial adenylate cyclase in the 2-hybrid assay; b) analyzing a clonal E. coli colony that expresses both the first and second fusion protein for the presence of a positive indication above a negative control; and c) identifying the modified receptor binding domain expressed by the colony exhibiting the positive indication as binding to the receptor.
 112. A polypeptide comprising a modified receptor binding domain of C. botulinum serotype B (B-H_(c)), wherein the modified B-H_(c) comprises two or more amino acid substitutions relative to a reference wild type receptor binding domain of a C. botulinum serotype B, strain 1 as found in SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein the two or more amino acid substitutions are at positions selected from the group consisting of E1191, S1199, W1178, Y1183, and combinations thereof, wherein: substitution at position 1191 is E1191A; substitution at position 1199 is selected from the group consisting of S1199W, S1199E, and S1199H; substitution at position 1178 is selected from the group consisting of W1178Y, W1178Q, W1178A, and W1178S; and substitution at position 1183 is selected from the group consisting of Y1183C, and Y1183P, wherein the polypeptide is characterized by enhanced binding to human Syt II as compared to that observed with the reference wild type receptor binding domain. 